Julien Alfred took on world 200m champion Shericka Jackson in the women’s 300m, and emerged at the Miramar Invitational on Saturday April 5.
Clocking a time of 36.05 seconds, Alfred narrowly edged out Jackson, who finished at 36.13 seconds. This victory marked a remarkable start to Alfred’s 2025 outdoor season, one that demonstrated not just physical ability, but a mastery of composure and execution.
Julien Alfred revealed the crucial advice from her coach, Flo, that helped guide her performance.
“Coach Flo told me before I left Austin, ‘Just go out there and win.’ That was the assignment.”
The 300m distance presented its own unique challenges, especially given the windy conditions on the day. Though her time was slightly slower than she had hoped, Alfred’s attention was less on the clock and more on how she felt during the race.
“We’ve been doing a lot of strength and longer reps in training, especially to build my 200m,” Alfred shared.
“That’s really what the 300m was about, testing that last 100m.”
Beating Jackson, who has long been one of the most accomplished sprinters in the world, would have been a cause for celebration for many, but for Alfred, it was simply another step in the process.
“I was happy with how I executed. My coach was happy and that’s what really matters,” she said.
“He sees the big picture. I trust him.”
In addition to the mental growth, Alfred has also undergone a noticeable physical transformation.
“I think it has definitely made me a lot leaner. I would say that,” she explained.
For Alfred, this win at Miramar was about more than just defeating a major rival, it was a validation of all the hard work she has been putting into her training. It is just the beginning of what promises to be an incredible year ahead for the talented sprinter.
