Man, what a year it’s been for Melissa Jefferson-Wooden! This Coastal Carolina phenom has been tearing up the track in 2025, and her latest triumph at the Prefontaine Classic on July 5? Pure fireworks. “One meet at a time,” Melissa believes, after conquering the Prefontaine. After dominating the Grand Slam Track circuit, sweeping the 100m and 200m in Kingston and Miami, then dropping a jaw-dropping 10.73s at the GST Philadelphia Slam on June 1, making her the fifth-fastest American woman ever, she rolled into Eugene with a world-leading time and unshakable confidence. That personal best in Philly wasn’t just a number; it was a statement. She’s here to compete, dominate, and win. So, how did she fare against the world’s best at Hayward Field?

Well, the women’s 100m at the Prefontaine Classic was a clash of titans, a rematch of the Paris 2024 Olympic podium. Jefferson-Wooden lined up against Olympic champ Julien Alfred, world champ Sha’Carri Richardson, and teammate Twanisha “TeeTee” Terry in a field stacked with speed. When the gun fired, Jefferson exploded out of the blocks. She battled Alfred stride for stride, and in a photo-finish thriller, crossed the line in 10.75s, just edging out Alfred’s 10.77s. Marie-Josée Ta Lou-Smith nabbed third in a season-best 10.90s, while Richardson, slowed by a February injury, finished ninth at 11.19s. It was Jefferson’s first-ever Diamond League title, a career-defining moment. But what did this victory mean to her?

On Instagram, Jefferson-Wooden poured her heart out: “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 yall good folks at US Trials 😤‼️ One Day, One Practice, One Meet at a Time ✨.” That mantra, “One Day, One Practice, One Meet at a Time,” is her guiding light. It’s not just a catchy phrase; it’s how she lives. “Embracing My Journey” speaks to her authenticity, staying rooted in her small-town Georgetown, South Carolina, values while navigating the global stage.

Her emphasis on “staying disciplined” reflects her relentless work ethic, evident in her consistent sub-11-second 100m times this season, from 10.91s early on to her world-leading 10.73s in Philly.  That “one meet at a time” mindset keeps her focused, not overwhelmed by the pressure of facing sprinting giants like Alfred or Richardson. It’s about showing up, every practice, every race, and letting the results speak. So, where does this mindset take her next?

With the US Olympic Trials looming, Jefferson-Wooden’s got her eyes on Tokyo’s World Championships. Her Prefontaine win proves she’s ready to take on the world’s best, one meet at a time. Can she keep this momentum and claim her first world title?

Melissa Jefferson-Wooden thinks she could be the World Champion

Man, Melissa Jefferson-Wooden’s story is straight out of a movie! Raised in a tiny South Carolina seaport town, she had just two scholarship offers out of high school. At Coastal Carolina, she finished dead last in her first NCAA Championships race. Yet, while watching the Tokyo Olympic Trials, she made a bold vow to make history. Now, after a blistering 2025 season, she’s got her eyes on the world 100m title in Tokyo come September. “Wholeheartedly,” she said, radiating belief. So, how’s she backing up that confidence?

This year, Jefferson-Wooden’s been unstoppable. She smashed her season goal by running 10.73s in the 100m at the GST Philadelphia Slam on June 1, a personal best that made her the fifth-fastest American woman ever. Fresh off her March wedding, she carried that joy to the Nike Prefontaine Classic, clinching her first Diamond League title in 10.75s, edging out Olympic champ Julien Alfred. Her secret? Staying disciplined and true to herself. But what’s her next step?

Jefferson-Wooden’s now gearing up for the USA Track and Field Outdoor Championships, July 31-Aug. 3, aiming to race both the 100m and 200m. The 100m is her focus, where the top three, plus defending world champ Sha’Carri Richardson, will punch tickets to Tokyo. “I don’t know what my ceiling is or what my limits are,” she said. With that mindset, can she sprint her way to world championship glory?