After a successful stint at the University of Texas, Jamaican sprinter Dejanea Oakley surprised many by entering the transfer portal last year. But since moving to the University of Georgia, Oakley says she’s finally found the environment and training program that fits her sprint-based style—and the results speak for themselves.
Now training in Athens, Georgia, the soon-to-be-21-year-old has already shaved nearly a full second off her 400m short track personal best, going from 51.7 to 50.9 seconds, and she’s feeling more confident than ever.
“I think what prompted [the move] for me was that I’m more of a sprinter—like a 400-metre person,” Oakley explained. “At Texas, I felt like I wasn't getting enough sprint work—things that kept my speed up. Even though I was doing well, I knew what my body needed to go faster and get to where I wanted to in the timeline I had in mind.”
Oakley, who was the 2024 Big 12 Indoor High Point Performer of the Meet and a USTFCCCA First Team All-American for the 4x400m indoors, says she didn’t even have to explain her needs to the Georgia coaches. “They literally had everything I was looking for. Their workouts were exactly what I needed to grow.”
While the move may have raised eyebrows, Oakley has no regrets. “It’s been so supportive. I’ve had support systems before, but never like this,” she explained. “They’re very attentive—even down to the smallest details. Most people think it's just the workouts that matter, but here they pay attention to everything: my nutrition, my overall well-being. It’s a very well-rounded program.”
Her performance gains aren’t just anecdotal. Oakley has made major strides thanks to a training regimen that focuses on maintaining top-end speed throughout the 400m—something she felt was lacking in her previous setup.
“If you watch Georgia athletes, we usually go out really fast in the first 200—faster than most—because they really focus on maintaining our top-end speed throughout the race,” she explained.
Oakley’s combination of 200m and 400m strength has always been her trademark—her outdoor 200m personal best is 22.3 seconds—but now, her training is helping her maximize both.
With the outdoor season underway, Oakley admits she’s still deciding where to focus her energy in pursuit of a spot on Jamaica’s team for the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo this September.
“My goal is definitely to try and make the Jamaican team,” she said. “I feel like I have a very good chance in the 200, but based on how I ran the 400 indoors this season, I might have a strong shot there too.”
That decision, she says, will come after outdoor nationals, which is the primary focus of her current training cycle. “Based on how I perform there, I’ll be able to tell which event I’m better positioned in and focus on peaking in that event for Worlds,” she said.
Another factor that’s made the transition smoother for Oakley is the presence of fellow Caribbean athletes at Georgia, including sprinter Adeajah Hodge of the British Virgin Islands and the Frederick twins from Trinidad and Tobago.
“We don’t train directly together—we’re in different groups—but sometimes our groups mix during the week. It’s great! Their energy is always positive, and it feels like I have culture around me,” she said. “That was important to me when choosing a school—diversity and a strong cultural mix. Georgia has that.”
As for Trinidad's Frederick twins?
“I thought I knew which one was which, but recently I tried guessing and got it completely wrong,” Oakley laughed. “They are literally the most identical twins I’ve ever met. If I see them together, I can tell. But if they’re separate? No way.”
With her indoor season behind her and momentum building, Oakley’s focus now turns to making a mark outdoors—and eventually, representing Jamaica on the world stage.
“Sometimes people pretend during recruitment visits,” she said, reflecting on her decision to transfer. “But the experience [at Georgia] has exceeded all my expectations. It’s been great.”