COULD IT BE that we now have our Tokyo women’s 100 favorite?
In a mere 10.65 seconds of mind-blowing sprinting, Melissa Jefferson-Wooden stamped herself as one of the prime contenders for gold at the upcoming WC.
Though she is not as well-known as Sha’Carri Richardson, the reigning world champion who spent time in jail a few days before running an 11.07 in the prelims, Jefferson-Wooden amply proved her dominance over the current crop of U.S. sprinters. Whether that will be enough to top Olympic gold medalist Julien Alfred remains to be seen.
It was Jacious Sears who led the heats, on paper at least. She sped a 10.85w (3.2) to take heat 4. Jefferson-Wooden, in the previous race, had to contend with a 1.5 headwind and still clocked 10.86. The winners of the first two races, Kayla White and TeeTee Terry, each dashed impressive 10.89s.
For Friday’s semis, the heat winners all were present, but Richardson had withdrawn, as had Gabby Thomas and Anavia Battle, both of whom had run 11.02 in the heats. In the first Sears put together a strong late drive to win in 10.95, with Jenna Prandini 2nd in 11.08. The second showed strong portents for Jefferson-Wooden, who blasted a 10.84 into an 0.3 wind to top Aleia Hobbs (11.10) by a massive 0.26. The third semi went to White, whose 10.92 was 0.006 faster than the 10.92 by Terry.
Two hours later in the final, it was Jefferson-Wooden’s training partner, White, who caught the lightning start from lane 7. Hobbs in 3 also got out well. But a few strides later, MJW, in lane 6, had caught them. For the first half, it was a close battle. Then Jefferson-Wooden found an extra gear at 60m and said her goodbyes. She lifted and left the competition behind with a drive that one only has seen from the legends.
She hit the line in a world-leading PR of 10.65, wind 0.4. The performance tied her for No. 5 in world history with Marion Jones, Shericka Jackson, and Richardson. White also produced the fastest dash of her life, grabbing 2nd in 10.84. And Hobbs finally got some separation from Terry, taking the third spot, 10.92–10.94.
“You look at all these races,” said the winner. “You look at all these amazing women who have accomplished those things so far, and to think of it as me being a part of that list now is actually kind of crazy. But I’m grateful for it. I’ve worked my butt off for it, so I shouldn’t be too surprised, but it’s still like, wow!”
WOMEN’S 100 RESULTS
FINAL (August 01; wind +0.4)
1. Melissa Jefferson-Wooden (Nik) 10.65 PR (WL, AL) (=5, =10 W; =3, =4 A)
2. Kayla White (Nik) 10.84 PR;
3. Aleia Hobbs (adi) 10.92;
4. TeeTee Terry (Nik) 10.94;
5. Tamari Davis (adi) 10.97;
6. Jacious Sears (Nik) 11.00;
7. Tamara Clark (adi) 11.11;
8. Jenna Prandini (Pum) 11.11;
9. English Gardner (unat) 11.17.
HEATS (July 31)
I(1.3)–1. White 10.89; 2. Sha’Carri Richardson (Nik) 11.07; 3. Samirah Moody (On) 11.11; 4. Victoria Cameron (Tarl) 11.11; 5. Dajaz DeFrand (USC) 11.16; 6. Kaila Jackson (Ga) 11.16; 7. Caisja Chandler (unat) 11.18.
II(1.8)–1. Terry 10.89; 2. Hobbs 10.94; 3. Gabby Thomas (NBal) 11.02; 4. Jadyn Mays (unat) 11.11; 5. Jassani Carter (unat) 11.18; 6. Clark 11.18; 7. Semira Killebrew (unat) 11.28.
III(-1.5)–1. Jefferson-Wooden 10.86; 2. Jada Mowatt (unat) 11.11; 3. Gardner 11.12; 4. Davis 11.15; 5. Brianna Selby (USC) 11.34; 6. Kortnei Johnson (GardStTC) 11.46; 7. Alexis Brown (SC) 11.55.
IV(3.2)–1. Sears 10.85w; 2. Prandini 10.95w; 3. Anavia Battle (adi) 11.02w; 4. Cambrea Sturgis (adi) 11.05w; 5. JaMeesia Ford (SC) 11.05w; 6. Jasmine Montgomery (unat) 11.25w; 7. Lauren Jarrett (unat) 11.44w; 8. Kiley Robbins (unat) 11.45w.
SEMIS (August 01; Battle, Richardson & Thomas withdrew)
I(0.7)–1. Sears 10.95; 2. Prandini 11.08; 3. Gardner 11.10; 4. Carter 11.22; 5. Chandler 11.22; 6. DeFrand 11.25; 7. Sturgis 11.28; 8. Johnson 11.40.
II(-0.3)–1. Jefferson-Wooden 10.84; 2. Hobbs 11.10; 3. Mowatt 11.23; 4. Moody 11.27; 5. Cameron 11.33; 6. Ford 11.36; 7. Selby 11.50; 8. Montgomery 11.59.
III(1.1)–1. White 10.92; 2. Terry 10.92; 3. Davis 10.96; 4. Clark 11.14; 5. Mays 11.15; 6. Jackson 11.21; 7. Robbins 11.56; 8. Jarrett 11.58.
