Competing as a member of the Bajan 4 × 400 metres relay team, Gooding also won the silver medal at the 1996 Central American and Caribbean Junior Championships in Athletics.

[1] She was recruited by Austin Peay Governors track and field coach Elvis Forde to compete in the NCAA.

She twice qualified for the NCAA Division I Women's Outdoor Track and Field Championships, with her best finish of 5th coming at the 2001 edition (she was eliminated in the semifinals at the 2002 meet).

[1] After winning her final CARIFTA Games medal in 2000 while training with the Austin Peay Governors, Gooding represented Barbados at three other international championships that season.

[1] Gooding faced her stiffest outdoor competition at the 2002 Commonwealth Games, where she finished 5th in her heat and did not advance to the semifinals.