Wood On Roll As A Hurdler One-Time Skating Standout Now Speeding Down Track

Nothing has changed for Autumn Wood since she traded roller skates for spiked shoes and the challenge of the hurdles.

The Mead senior track athlete has always enjoyed a good race, whether in practice or during a meet.

“I’m a very competitive person. I like to have someone there to compete against and push myself,” Wood said. “It kind of bothers me when people don’t take things seriously.”

From her beginnings as a national-level speedskater on her uncle Ben Winkler’s Pattison’s North Skating Rink team to last week’s district record-setting 300-meter hurdles run, competition has been serious business indeed.

“When I’m on the track,” said Wood, “there’s nowhere else I want to be.”

Her sophomore year, Wood was a 44.8 district champion, regional runner-up and state placer. Last year, she ran 44.52, electronically timed. That was the state’s best until she finished second to River Ridge star Erin Rinear.

After lowering the district record to 44.4 last Friday, a record held for 15 years by her coach, Annette (Helling) Pedersen, Wood won’t rest until her task is complete.

“Obviously, my goal is to win state,” Wood said. “It was almost better I was second last year. It made me more determined to do well this year and run harder.”

Wood began roller skating at age 2 and continued until sixth grade. She participated in three national meets and competed on mixed relay teams with Mead classmate and athletic standout Adam Morris.

Her love affair with the hurdles began as a Farwell Elementary student. The school is next to Northwood Junior High and the Farwell students practiced on the Northwood track.

“I thought they would be kind of fun to try, and it clicked,” said Wood.

What clicked, in particular, was the longer race, but Wood has taken on a new challenge this year with the 100-meter hurdles.

In previous years, Wood had not competed in the 100 hurdles at districts because her times were slow. She contemplated bagging them altogether, but changed her mind after she was clocked in a then state-best 14.9 at the Mooberry Relays.

Until then, Wood couldn’t perfect her steps or use her quickness between the hurdles.

“I couldn’t think of things to make me better,” she said. “Then Mrs. P. said ‘try this.”’

By moving the hurdles closer together, Wood was able to find a rhythm. The Mooberry time opened her eyes.

Pedersen, who has worked with Wood since Wood was an eighth-grader, said their styles are similar.

Pedersen, who was disqualified as defending state champion for running out of her lane when she was a senior, added that Wood has much more consistent than she in recording low times.

“Anytime, she’s ready to pop into the 43s,” Pedersen predicted.

Wood credits a work ethic, instilled by the coach, with her success and that of the team.

“It’s nothing more than that,” Wood said. “We’re out to get the job done.”

That is why she prefers to race in four events, including relays, and one reason that Washington State University is recruiting her.

“I like the program down there and its seriousness,” she said. “I want a competitive attitude.”

Whether she wins state in this, her final try, it is her seriousness and competitive attitude that define Autumn Wood and speak well for her future.

“I haven’t reached my full potential, I don’t think,” Wood said.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo