South Carolina sophomore JaMeesia Ford turned the track into her personal stage, delivering one of the most dominant performances at the SEC Outdoor Championships in Lexington.
In a weekend that felt less like a competition and more like a coronation, Ford captured four gold medals, shattered records, and sparked a conversation that’s growing louder by the day.
A Performance That Shifted the Conversation
Ford opened by anchoring South Carolina’s 4x100m relay squad to a blistering 42.75 finish, the school’s first title in the event since 2007. From there, she blazed through the 100m, claiming gold in 11.06 seconds and becoming the first woman in South Carolina history to win the SEC 100m title.
But it was in the 200m that JaMeesia Ford made her boldest statement. With composure, control, and untouchable speed, she clocked a staggering 22.01 seconds, breaking the SEC meet record, setting a new school record, and climbing to third on the all-time NCAA list. Only Julien Alfred’s 21.88 and Gabby Thomas’ 21.95 have been faster.
NBC Sports’ Travis Miller captured it perfectly on X(Formerly Twitter).
“The only two women in the world faster than JaMeesia Ford over 200m this season are both Olympic Champions. 👀”
A Star Years in the Making
Originally from Hampton, Virginia, Ford first took to the track at nine years old, and it quickly became clear she was something special. Years of steady growth led to standout performances at the youth and junior levels, including a gold medal at the 2023 U20 Pan American Championships in the 4x400m mixed relay.
Her steady rise hit another gear at the 2024 SEC Championships, where she posted a 22.11 in the 200m, tying Allyson Felix’s U20 American record. It was a preview of what she would unleash in Lexington.
Capping off her weekend, Ford anchored South Carolina’s 4x400m relay team to a jaw-dropping 3:24.26, breaking both the program and facility records.
Is JaMeesia Ford the Next Sprint Queen?
For years, Gabby Thomas and Julien Alfred have defined sprinting dominance. Their blistering times, championship performances, and graceful authority have set the standard. But every reign faces a challenger. And in JaMeesia Ford, that challenger has arrived.
With personal bests of 11.06 in the 100m and 22.01 in the 200m, Ford is a force to be reckoned with. As the 2028 Olympics draw nearer, she’s positioned not just to make the team, but to potentially stand on the podium.
The question isn’t whether she belongs in the conversation. It’s how long it will take before she claims the crown.
