Gabby Thomas has five Olympic medals and a world championship to her name. And usually, when an athlete of such stature enters a race, the competition is for the number two position. But things went the other way around in the 100m at the Miami Grand Slam Track. Melissa Jefferson saw her moment to shine, and she took it. The woman outpaced everyone to clench the number one position in the race. With the only competition coming from Tamari Davis, Jefferson was fiery on the track. What did she have to say about it?

“It feels amazing. The job is always to come out here and execute to the best of my ability. And I’m getting more used to doing that,” she remarked when asked about her feelings on turning the tide in the race. And what is her mantra for it? She said in the post-race interview, “Just literally listening. And listening to my coach. He can do what it is he wants me to do. I’m reaping the benefits of it.” The Olympian is currently under the watchful eyes of Dennis Mitchell, a member of the gold medal-winning team in the 4 × 100 metres relay race at the 1992 Summer Olympics.

Upon being asked about the stages of races, she said that she felt like she could have been a little more aggressive in the middle of it, but she didn’t panic. She continued, “I just made sure to stay where I was at that moment. And then just accelerate off of that. And trust my topping because I know it’s there.” The next stop for her? The 200m on day 2 of the Grand Slam Track, i.e, May 3, 2025. How does she feel about that?

Jefferson pointed out that all the athletes work hard, including her, and so the 200m might not be her forte, but she is going to be just as competitive. Though she says that it might not be her premier event, the last time she ran the 200m was in the Kingston Grand Slam track, she clocked 23.46 for the win. This makes the women’s 200m more interesting, as Jefferson warned, “I’m going to bring the same energy I brought into the 100 into tomorrow for the 200.” The 200m could also be a redemption for a sour Gabby Thomas after her 100m loss.

Coming back to her 100m, she said that she needed the win. The Olympian pointed out that she feels her speed is getting better in her legs. The 24-year-old added, “It’s a fast track. I’ve had good experiences and bad experiences at Miramar. So, you know, I’m happy today was a good one.” Though she won the 100m in the Grand Slam Track in Miramar, clocking a wind-assisted time of 10.75 seconds, this is the same city where she failed to advance to the finals of the 2023 Miramar Invitational. Though it wasn’t all good for her at GST either.

Melissa Jefferson misses a major opportunity

Though the 100m at the Grand Slam Track ruled the headlines due to Gabby Thomas finishing fourth with a time of 10.97, it wasn’t all flowers for Melissa Jefferson either. BANG! went the cue to run, and the athlete jolted. Starting from lane 4 in a while singlet and blue trucks, Jefferson took an early lead with the only competition coming from Tamari Davis. She finished second with a time of 10.79 seconds.

“It’s going to be Jefferson Wooden who’s going to take this one,” announced the commentator as Jefferson ran through the ribbon, her celebration high matching the commentator’s pitch. The pitch got even higher as he announced her time, “What is going on in Miami? 10.75.” Finishing the race in 10.75 seconds would have made her the sixth fastest American, ahead of Evelyn Ashford’s 10.76 recorded in 1984. But then the wind came into play.

Melissa’s celebration slowed down, so did the pitch of the commentator as he said, “It’s illegal, sadly for her, the first race where it’s been over the limit.” The wind record in this race was 2.4. The legal wind limit is 2.0. Hence, the wind robbed her of this opportunity. Currently, she ranks as the 13th fastest American with a time of 10.80 seconds. She might go for another record in the 200m. What do you think?