by Deji Ogeyingbo
Melissa Jefferson-Wooden Is Running Towards Something Bigger
By the time Melissa Jefferson-Wooden crossed the finish line on Friday night in Eugene, there was no doubt about who owns the title of America’s fastest woman. To be fair, many people had known the outcome; we were just surprised by how emphatic she has become in her approach to winning races.
The performance tied her with Sha’Carri Richardson, Shericka Jackson, and Marion Jones as the fifth-fastest woman in history. Yet in that moment, it felt like Jefferson-Wooden had separated herself from the rest of the current sprint field. There was no flashiness in her celebration. No victory lap with a flag draped over her shoulders. She stood still for a moment, glanced up at the clock, and let it all settle in.
It’s the kind of calm that comes from knowing she’s done this all season, as no one could steal a match from her. And also knowing that this time means more.
A year ago, Jefferson-Wooden was on the podium in Paris as part of the U.S. women’s 4×100 team, where she anchored a gold medal relay. Individually, she had placed third in the 100 meters at the Olympics, clocking 10.92. That result didn’t make headlines, but for those who were paying attention, it showed she was capable of competing with the best. She hasn’t lost a 100-meter race since.
In 2025, she’s gone five-for-five in finals. Her early-season schedule included wins in Kingston, Miami, and Philadelphia. The breakthrough came at the Prefontaine Classic in May, where she beat reigning Olympic champion Elaine Thompson-Herah with a time of 10.75. She followed it with the fastest time in the world this year in Eugene, beating a strong U.S. field and pulling away from everyone with ease.
The acceleration phase has always been where Jefferson-Wooden sets herself apart. In the final on Friday, Kayla White got the best start. But by the 30-meter mark, Jefferson-Wooden had found her rhythm, lifting into her drive phase and pulling away. She closed the race with a margin of nearly two-tenths of a second. In the 100 meters, that’s enormous.
Now, with the U.S. title in hand and the season’s best time under her belt, Jefferson-Wooden finds herself in unfamiliar territory. She’s the favorite for the world title in Tokyo. It’s a role she hasn’t held before, but one that suits her current form.
Sha’Carri Richardson, who earned a bye to Tokyo by winning the 2023 World Championship, scratched from the semifinals in Eugene. The decision raised questions about her fitness and readiness. She hasn’t raced a 100-meter since the Prefontaine Classic in early July. There’s no confirmed injury and no official statement. Still, a quiet buildup is rarely a sign of complete confidence.
Julien Alfred, the Olympic Champion from St. Lucia, has been consistently running under 10.90 several times this season. She will be a factor in Tokyo. But Alfred has never run faster than 10.83. That kind of margin matters when chasing gold.
Jefferson-Wooden, on the other hand, has gone from promising to polished. She’s not a one-hit winner from college anymore. Her strides are more substantial, her races are cleaner, and her starts are more aggressive. She has also managed to stay healthy despite a busy schedule, a feat her competitors haven’t all achieved.
Eugene, Oregon, USA
July 31 – August 3, 2025
Coach Dennis Mitchell has guided her development with patience this season. His training group at Star Athletics produced the three U.S. women on last year’s Olympic team, and they’ll send three again this year: Jefferson-Wooden, Kayla White, and Richardson. Mitchell has been through enough championships to know how to time an athlete’s peak. Jefferson-Wooden looks to be hitting hers at the right time.
Eugene, Oregon, USA
July 31 – August 3, 2025, photo by Kevin Morris
Friday’s final offered a clear preview of what’s ahead. In a championship season marked by inconsistency from other stars, Jefferson-Wooden has been the most reliable figure in the event. Every time she lines up, she runs with confidence. She has said little publicly about winning a global title. But the way she’s racing now, it’s hard to imagine anything less.
There’s still more than a month to go before the World Championships begin in Tokyo. Athletes will refine their form, select races carefully, and manage their health effectively. But unless something unexpected happens, it will take more than talent to stop Jefferson-Wooden.
