Winning streak on the line as Oakley makes pro debut

Jamaica’s in-form 400 metres runner Dejanea Oakley will be aiming to continue her winning streak today when she makes her professional debut in the one-lap event at the two-day Prefontaine Classic. The meet, the ninth stop on the Wanda Diamond League circuit, is being held in Eugene, Oregon.

Oakley, the NCAA champion, is among 17 Jamaicans who will be in action over both days of competition. She is unbeaten in the event this season and had earlier held the world-leading mark with her personal best of 48.79 seconds. This mark was recently overtaken by Olympic champion Marileidy Paulino of the Dominican Republic, who clocked 48.48 at the Paris Diamond League. The Jamaican will, however, not have to contend with Paulino today, as the world leader has withdrawn from the event.

Oakley, one of the three women’s finalists for The Bowerman, the highest individual honour in American collegiate track and field, will be joined in the event by national champion Stacey-Ann Williams who is coming off a third-place finish at the Paris Diamond League. Williams, who clocked a personal best 49.40 in winning in Zagreb over a week ago, will be hoping to improve on that time. The American duo, Aaliyah Butler (49.78) and Sani Butler (49.86s), along with Nigeria’s Ella Onojuvwevwo, who has a season’s and personal best of 49.47, should still make this a very competitive affair.

When the preliminary round of the women’s 100 metres gets under way tomorrow at 2:32 p.m. Jamaica time, only four Jamaicans will face the starter in their bids to advance to the 4:29 p.m. final. Brianna Lyston, who was second to Elaine Thompson-Herah a week ago in Zagreb, has withdrawn from the meet, leaving Shericka Jackson, Tia Clayton, Tina Clayton and Jonielle Smith to contest the event.

Another Jamaican who was originally down to compete at the meet, World Championships 110m hurdles bronze medallist Tyler Mason, has also withdrawn. Mason, who was set to make his season debut, will be replaced by newly crowned national champion Demario Prince.

Schedule for Jamaicans:

TODAY

10:37 p.m. – Women’s 400m

Dejanea Oakley, Stacy Ann Williams

TOMORROW

2:32 p.m. – Women’s 100m Heats

Shericka Jackson, Tia Clayton, Tina Clayton, Jonielle Smith

2:50 p.m. – Men’s Discus Throw

Roje Stona, Ralford Mullings

3:12 p.m. – Men’s 110m Hurdles

Orlando Bennett, Demario Prince

3:37 p.m. – Men’s 100m

Ackeem Blake, Oblique Seville

3:57 p.m. – Men’s Shot Put

Rajindra Campbell

4:04 p.m. – Women’s 100m Hurdles

Ackera Nugent, Danielle Williams

4:21 p.m. – Men’s 200m

Adrian Kerr, Bryan Levell