Jamaica’s Dejanea Oakley and the U.S. Virgin Islands’ Michelle Smith delivered two of the most eye-catching performances on Saturday at the Florida Relays, clocking world-class times in their respective events to underline their rising status on the international circuit.
Oakley, a junior at the University of Georgia, stormed to victory in the women’s 200m, stopping the clock at a personal best 22.43 seconds (+1.7 m/s)—the fourth-fastest time in the world this year. The time also moves Oakley into sixth place in program history for the event outdoors.
She held off a strong field that included Texas A&M’s Camryn Dickson, who finished second in 22.48, and teammate Jasmine Montgomery, who won her section in 22.59 to take third overall.
The win adds to an already strong start to the outdoor season for Oakley, a former Clarendon College standout, who has been a key contributor for Georgia in both individual and relay events.
Meanwhile, freshman sensation Michelle Smith continues to shatter expectations in the women’s 400m hurdles. The Georgia freshman obliterated the competition, running a blazing 54.56 to win the race by 1.23 seconds—comfortably ahead of Tia-Adana Belle (55.79) and Sanaa Hebron of Miami (55.87).
It marked Smith’s second-straight win in the event and a major milestone: she broke the University of Georgia’s school record, surpassing Gudrun Arnardottir’s 54.93 mark set at the 1996 NCAA Championships. The time also makes Smith the No. 22 performer in NCAA history and now stands as the second-fastest time in the world this year, behind only Jamaica’s Rushell Clayton.
The 18-year-old from the U.S. Virgin Islands looked composed throughout, executing her stride pattern and technique to perfection before unleashing a powerful finish down the home stretch.
Smith, who starred at last year’s CARIFTA Games and World U20 Championships, has transitioned seamlessly into the NCAA system and is now firmly among the top collegiate and global contenders in her event.
With both Oakley and Smith now sitting among the world leaders, Saturday’s showing in Gainesville sent a powerful message: the Caribbean’s next generation is already here—and thriving.