TRACK: WOODS HAS HIS CHANCE : TRIPLE JUMPER EYES STATE MEET.

Byline: Gerry Gittelson Daily News Staff Writer

Rodney Woods was in bad shape until his final triple jump attempt at the Southern Section track and field finals Saturday at Cerritos College.

The Littlerock junior had either faulted or faltered on his first three jumps. Then, with time running out, he soared 46 feet, 3 inches - three inches off his legal best - to finish second overall in Division I and advance to the Masters meet at 4 p.m. Friday at Cerritos.

Woods should have been relieved, if not ecstatic.

However, on Tuesday, after three days of reflection, he felt as if he cheated himself out of his chance to be No. 1 in Southern California's largest high school division.

``To tell you the truth, I feel like I did just OK,'' Woods said. ``You know what? I popped a pretty good one on that last jump, but I never did hit the board on any one of my jumps all day. If I did, I would have won the whole thing. So, yes, I feel good because it was a do-or-die situation, but I won't be happy until I make state.''

So Saturday's Masters competition - in which competitors must finish in the top five to advance to the state meet in Sacramento the following weekend - is a chance for Woods to prove once and for all that he belongs among the elite.

A star football player who last fall gained more than 1,000 yards rushing and made the all-area team as a defensive back, Woods has yet to fulfill such promise in track.

Last year, he was ranked No. 2 in Division I before a hip injury ended his season before the Southern Section prelims. This season, he was surprised by Palmdale's Travis Morse in the 100-meter dash, finishing second despite a wind-aided time of 10.6, one of the best any-condition marks in California this year.

Three weeks ago, he jumped 47-7 (wind-aided) in a Golden League meet, and it started to look once and for all as if Woods would reach the top.

Now's his chance to do it.

Taylor made it: Senior Jameka Taylor of Littlerock is looking to return to the state meet after a one-year absence.

She reached the triple jump final as a sophomore in 1997, and this year she has a shot in both that event and the long jump. She finished No. 2 in Saturday's triple jump at 37-11-3/4 and sixth in the long jump at 17-9-1/2.

Both marks fall short of her personal bests: Taylor went 39-4 in the triple jump as a junior and 18-8 in the long jump this season.

``I feel like I can do way better in both in events, so I think I have a shot,'' Taylor said.

It was a good weekend overall for Taylor, also one of the region's premier girls' basketball players. On Sunday, she received official notice that she has qualified academically to play NCAA Division I-A sports because she scored a 950 on the SAT.

Taylor said UCLA, Cal State Northridge, UC Riverside, Cal Poly Pomona and Tennessee State all have shown interest.

For now her focus is on Friday's meet.

``I'm doing pretty good, just hoping to make it to state,'' Taylor said. ``I feel like I can if I do my best.''

Can Raines reign? Marcus Raines was the third Littlerock competitor to qualify for the Masters meet.

The junior ran 14.55 in the 110 high hurdles (third in Division I, sixth overall) despite a hamstring injury that he said cost him a berth in the 300 intermediate hurdles, in which he finished in ninth place in the division.

Raines said his plan this week is to rest the hamstring and keep his mind clear.

``I don't have to think about the 300 anymore, but as far as the 110 is concerned, I'm right in the mix,'' Raines said. ``I'm trying to go to state, so that's all I'm thinking about.''

Speedy soph: Seth Amoo of Highland was the only sophomore to qualify for Friday's 200-meter final.

He ran 21.57 on Saturday, good enough for the ninth and final spot.

Amoo officially is the best sprinter in Highland's nine-year history - and getting better every week. He has lowered his time systematically over the last five meets.

``Seth is doing well,'' coach Marty Prince said. ``I don't think there's a better sprinter in the area, and I definitely think he'll be college material.''

Amoo said his times are getting better because he is firing out of the starting blocks better. But Prince said Amoo's ability to close quickly has separated him from the pack.

``He kind of sneaks up on you in the last 20 yards and kicks it into another gear,'' Prince said.

``I didn't think I'd get this far,'' Amoo said. ``This might be a one-time thing. I don't know if I'll make it again.''

Meanwhile, Amoo said football coach Lin Parker ``kind of got mad'' when Amoo broke the news about not playing football next fall. Amoo had proved himself a promising tailback on the junior varsity last year even though he came out late for the team and only played about half the season.

But Amoo said his parents don't want him to play for safety reasons.

Came out smelling like a Rosanna: Rosanna Kirkendall of Lancaster said she was fearful her nervousness would cost her in the girls' 1,600-meter final on Saturday, especially when the junior started out in last place.

However, Kirkendall made a nice comeback. She finished fourth in the seventh-best overall time to qualify for the Masters meet. She ran a personal best 5:07, the fourth time she has PR'd since the Arcadia Invitational a month ago.

``Rosanna is doing outstanding,'' coach Dawn Dziuban said. ``I think if she has a good race on Friday, she has a good shot. There's a lot of good competition, so she has to rise to the occasion. She might need a new PR for a shot.''

``I think I've trained to peak,'' Kirkendall said. ``I think it just depends who has a good race on Friday. I hope I can get out there. I'll give it all I've got.''

Mentu on the mend: Mentu Daniel of Antelope Valley did not appear bothered by a quadriceps injury on Saturday, finishing third in the boys Division I 400 meters in 47.77.

He fell behind early but came on strong.

``Mentu always makes his move in the second half,'' coach Chris Broskoff said. ``He has pain every day in his leg, but it's always been there. Obviously, we wish he wasn't hurt. But I'm pleased and I think he is, too.

``He shouldn't have too much trouble making it to the state meet. That's why I'll rest him. Obviously he has the talent and the speed. So at this point rest is most important.''

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PHOTO Rosanna Kirkendall of Lancaster overcame nerves to qualify for the Masters meet in the 3,200-meter run.

Kirby Lee/Special to the Daily News