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 The Jamaican will, however, not have to contend with Paulino today, as the world leader has withdrawn from the event.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.