Dejanea Oakley, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division One women’s outdoor 400-metre champion, produced the best performance by a Jamaican at the two-day Prefontaine Classic at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, the ninth stop on the Wanda Diamond League series, which ended yesterday.

Oakley claimed victory in the women’s 400 on Friday’s opening day, making a winning professional debut in the event. Following the late withdrawal of new world leader Marileidy Paulino of the Dominican Republic, Oakley seized the opportunity and showed tremendous finishing speed to secure the win.

Her former University of Georgia teammate, Aaliyah Butler of the United States, took control early after a fast start, while Oakley was fourth coming off the final bend. However, the Jamaican kept her composure and powered past her rivals over the final 50 metres to win in 49.84 seconds. Butler finished second in 49.97, with Jamaica’s Stacey-Ann Williams third in 50.12.