“I can see myself in her.” That is how 14-year-old sprinting prodigy Melanie Doggett sums up Olympic medalist Melissa Jefferson-Wooden. And on the track this weekend, Doggett did more than simply say it. She showed it.

The Atlanta native just recently opened her indoor season in the 60 meters at the Galleria Games. Doggett finished in 7.29, a solid opening-season performance to push her streak to eight straight meet records. She quickly left the rest of the field behind, with Aaliyah Birdine coming in second with 7.49, while Oluwamayomikun “Mimi” Adenle grabbed a third-place finish with a 7.72.

Doggett’s lifetime personal best in the 60 meters still stands at 7.17, set in February, but this race showed she is very much locked in and ready for another big year. She even shared the win on Instagram, celebrating the moment. Still, even in victory, Doggett did not forget the athlete who inspires her most.

Soon after winning, she reshared a post honoring Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, who was recently celebrated by World Athletics for her historic 2025 season on Instagram.

As we know, Melissa Jefferson-Wooden became the first American woman ever to win both the 100 meters and 200 meters at a World Championships, accomplishing the rare double in Tokyo. World Athletics highlighted her achievements, including her 10.61 in the 100 meters, which makes her the fourth fastest woman in history, behind only Florence Griffith-Joyner, Elaine Thompson-Herah, and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce. Moreover, she also remained undefeated in the 100 meters throughout 2025.

Just last year, when she was only 12 years old at Landmark Christian School near Atlanta, Doggett stunned the track world by running 11.67 in the 100 meters at the Adidas Outdoor Nationals. That performance broke the world record for 12-year-olds and surpassed the previous sixth-grade world best set by Tamari Davis. At an age when most athletes are still learning the basics, Doggett was already outrunning high school state champions.

Watching her now, the resemblance is hard to miss. The speed, the confidence, the calm under pressure. Melanie Doggett is perhaps still early on in her path, however race by race, she’s beginning to resemble the athlete she once said she saw herself in. But it was a moment away from the track that made that connection feel real.

Nike brings Melanie Doggett and Melissa Jefferson-Wooden together

14-year-old sprint phenom Melanie Doggett recently met her idol, Olympic medalist Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, and the experience was unforgettable. “I’ve talked to her once,” Doggett told Rori Dunk. “It was at my Nike NFL party, and she called, and it was, we had a little conversation; she just congratulated me. And she was really, she was so nice.”

The meeting happened because this year, Doggett signed a Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) partnership with Nike, making her one of the youngest athletes ever to join the brand’s running program. “The Nike team has always made me feel welcome and heard,” Doggett said. “I think it’s really cool that they want to work with me, and I’m excited to be a part of the family.”

Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, who also runs under Nike after turning professional in 2022, offered advice that resonated with Doggett: “Keep going, and that, to always have fun with it. So, yeah, she was great… She was great. ”

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“I can, like, see myself in her,” she explained. “I can, like, see myself in her. Like, I feel like she is, like, so down-to-earth, and also, like, but talented at the same time.  Like, she seems like she would be, like, such a kind person, like, and down-to-earth. And, like, she doesn’t think she’s better than anyone. Yeah, I feel like if she was to be someone you could just see and talk to and have a great conversation with.. And on the track, we run similar races…”

At just 14, Doggett is following in the footsteps of her professional role model, already achieving the biggest milestones while drawing inspiration from the athlete she looks up to.