Jamaican athletes delivered an impressive series of performances at the NCAA Division I Indoor Track and Field Championships, with Dejanea Oakley, Shenese Walker, and Tyrice Taylor capturing titles during a high-quality weekend of competition in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
Across sprints, middle-distance events, and field competitions, Jamaican collegiate athletes made their presence felt, recording personal bests, podium finishes, and a world-leading performance that underscored their growing impact on the U.S. collegiate track circuit.
Oakley produces a world-leading masterclass
The most electrifying moment came in the women’s 400 meters, where Oakley delivered a sensational performance.
Representing the University of Georgia, the former Clarendon College standout surged to victory in a personal-best and world-leading 49.47 seconds, announcing herself as one of the fastest quarter-milers in the world this season.
The time eclipsed the previous global best set earlier this year by Amber Anning, who had posted 50.51 seconds.
Oakley’s teammate Shaquane Foote also impressed in the same race, finishing fifth with a personal-best 51.13 seconds, further highlighting the strength of Jamaica’s sprint tradition at the collegiate level.
Walker continues sprint dominance
In the women’s 60 meters, Walker extended her excellent run of form with a commanding victory.
Competing for Florida State University, the Jamaican sprinter stopped the clock at 7.08 seconds, comfortably securing the title.
She finished ahead of Adaejah Hodge of the University of Georgia, who placed second in 7.15 seconds.
Hodge would later rebound in spectacular fashion, claiming the women’s 200 meters crown with a world-leading 22.22 seconds.
Walker’s Florida State teammate Gabrielle Matthews, a former student of The Queen’s School, finished second in the 200 meters in a personal-best 22.55 seconds.
Taylor triumphs in tactical 800m
Jamaica also celebrated victory in the men’s middle-distance ranks.
Tyrice Taylor, a former standout from Enid Bennett High School, claimed the men’s 800 meters title while competing for the University of Arkansas.
Taylor surged through the finish in a personal-best 1:46.00 minutes, narrowly defeating teammate Rivaldo Marshall, the former Calabar High School standout, who clocked 1:46.12 minutes for second place.
Beyond the track, Jamaican athletes also delivered impressive performances in the field events.
Former Calabar High School thrower Kobe Lawrence, competing for the University of Oregon, produced a personal-best throw of 20.50 meters in the men’s shot put to secure a podium finish.
Meanwhile, former St Jago High School standout Shantae Foreman, representing Clemson University, recorded 13.80 meters in the women’s triple jump to also claim a top-three placing.
Another podium finish came from Demario Prince, the former St Jago High School sprint hurdler now competing for Baylor University. Prince finished third in the men’s 60-meter hurdles final, clocking 7.55 seconds.
Jamaica’s collegiate pipeline continues to deliver
The performances in Fayetteville once again highlighted the strength of Jamaica’s track and field pipeline, with former high school stars transitioning seamlessly into elite collegiate competition.
With three event victories, multiple podium finishes, and several personal bests, Jamaican athletes left an unmistakable imprint on the NCAA Indoor Championships, a sign that the island’s next generation of track stars is already flourishing on the global stage.
