Melissa Jefferson-Wooden Is Running Towards Something Bigger

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…