Melissa Jefferson-Wooden delivered another sensational performance at the Nike Prefontaine Classic on July 5, claiming her first-ever Diamond League title in a women’s 100m showdown.
Coming into Eugene on the back of a blistering 10.73s personal best at the GST Philadelphia Slam on June 1, a time that made her the fifth-fastest American woman in history, Jefferson-Wooden arrived with world-leading form and unshakable belief. After dominant displays on the Grand Slam Track circuit in Kingston and Miami, she was chasing a legacy.
The women’s 100m at the Prefontaine Classic featured a star-studded lineup, including Olympic champion Julien Alfred, world champion Sha’Carri Richardson, and U.S. teammate Twanisha “TeeTee” Terry.
In a photo-finish thriller, Jefferson-Wooden surged ahead in the final meters to clock 10.75s, narrowly holding off Alfred’s 10.77s. Marie-Josée Ta Lou-Smith secured third in a season’s best 10.90s, while Richardson, still working back from a February injury, placed ninth in 11.19s..
After the race, Jefferson-Wooden took to Instagram to reflect on the milestone:
“Embracing My Journey ✨ 1st Ever Diamond League Win, another 10.7 on the season, staying disciplined and being true to who I am 😤 @preclassic was one for the books !! See y’all good folks at US Trials 😤‼️ One Day, One Practice, One Meet at a Time ✨.”
This is a mindset rooted in discipline, consistency, and self-belief, forged in her humble beginnings in Georgetown, South Carolina. From barely two scholarship offers out of high school to finishing last in her first NCAA Championship race, Jefferson-Wooden’s rise has been defined by resilience.
It was while watching the Tokyo Olympic Trials from afar that she made a vow to herself, she would one day be among the world’s elite. Fast forward to 2025, and she’s not only competing with the best, she’s beating them.
Fresh off a March wedding and a season packed with sub-11 second performances, Jefferson-Wooden has now set her sights on even bigger goals. With the US Olympic Trials approaching and the World Championships in Tokyo on the horizon, she isn’t shying away from bold ambitions.
