Women's Recap: Val Sion Wins Eighth Straight U.S. Discus Title; Nia Akins Moves Late To Win 800; Emily Mackay Kicks To Win In 5,000; Cunningham Wins 17th; Anna Cockrell Dominates 400 Hurdles

By David Woods for DyeStat

Eliza Smallwood and John Nepolitan Photos

INTERVIEWS

NEW YORK – Before 2025, the name “Melissa Jefferson” and the words “200 meters” really did not belong in the same sentence.

She barely broke 23 seconds in 2023. She did not run a single 200 in 2024.

She was married in March 2025. As Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, she has been unbeatable (15-0) in the 100 meters, and nearly so in the 200.

“I started running the 200 more seriously last year, and look what it did to my 100,” she said. “Why should I stop now?”

There was no stopping her Sunday on the climactic day 4 of the USATF Championships at Icahn Stadium.

She won the 200 in 21.69 seconds, or .01 off her gold-winning time from last year’s World Championships at Tokyo.

“That should tell you a lot,” the 25-year-old sprinter said. “I’m in a really good spot. I can’t wait to get back home, do some training and then head overseas.”

Only other Americans to have run faster: Florence Griffith Joyner, Gabby Thomas and Marion Jones. Thomas, the reigning Olympic champion, was here for promotional appearances but did not compete in what was not a team selection meet.

Cambrea Sturgis was well back in second in 22.22. Texas A&M’s Camryn Dickson was third, as she was at the NCAA Championships, in 22.58 – nearly a full second behind first.

“Going up to the line, I  told myself, ‘Just let each phase of the race come to you,’ “ Jefferson-Wooden said. “ ‘Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Just go out there when the gun goes off, and let it rip.’

“And that’s what I did.”

Because global medals were not at stake, it might be easy to dismiss these nationals. Yet with less than two years before track and field begins July 15, 2028, at the Los Angeles Olympics, athletes are already making plans.

That includes someone like Valarie Sion, who won an eighth straight title in the discus and aims for a third Olympic gold medal at L.A.

“The next two years are what I’m excited to attack,” she said. “I want to be at my best for them.”

Her winning distance was 228 feet, 2 inches (69.54m). She had the four longest throws of the competition.

Sion extended her own records for most national titles in the discus and most consecutively.

Cierra Jackson, who upset Sion at week ago at London with a Diamond League record of 235-4 (71.72m), was second at 221-1 (67.40m). Before London, Sion had been 39-1 since taking silver behind Laulauga Tausaga-Collins at the 2023 World Championships.

“I’ve always said I learn more when I’m not on top of the podium,” Sion said. “And that’s still true.”

Tausaga-Collins was fourth at 212-11 (64.91m).

Another looking at L.A. was Addy Wiley, who might have been the breakout story of the meet on the women’s side, even in twice finishing second.

After she was overtaken Saturday in the 1,500 meters by Nikki Hiltz, she could not hold the lead Sunday in an 800 won by Nia Akins.

Still, Wiley, 22, came about as close to double gold as anyone since Regina Jacobs won the 800 and 1,500 in 2001. In 2003, Jacobs was banned for doping and retired from the sport.

“I’m glad I took the risk, and I’m glad I know I can do it,” Wiley said. “I think it’s going to pay off.”

Running such a double – four races in four days – builds confidence going into 2028, she said.

“I’ll say it. I want to double at our home Olympics,” she said.

Akins was boxed in on the rail until the top of the straight, when she darted outside and began a sustained push to the finish. Her time was 1:59.25, followed by Wiley in 1:59.40.

Meghan Hunter was third in 1:59.67 and defending champion Roisin Willis fourth in 1:59.68.

“It’s not like super fun in the moment. But looking back, it’s like really cool to be in a kick battle with so many women that can kick,” Akins said. “It’s really terrifying. But if I didn’t take it, I would have been proud of myself because everyone in the race was so good.”

It was the third title in four years for Akins, 28, a Penn graduate.

She said this one was the hardest. She revealed that early this year, her car was struck from behind in a hit-and-run while she was driving to a Bible study. She said she endured a concussion and was sedentary for weeks.

“Not a great situation. But I could see God’s grace in it,” Akins said.

Emily Mackay might have something to think about ahead of 2028, too. She considers herself a 1,500-meter specialist, but this year she has won national titles in the indoor 3,000 and outdoor 5,000.

“I feel more confident at the world level in the 1,500 right now,” she said.

In Sunday’s 5,000, Mackay ran the closing 400 in 61.9 to outdistance Shelby Houlihan and Parker Valby.

Mackay was third in Saturday’s 1,500, just .06 behind Hiltz, so she almost came away with double gold, too. Mackay fell after leaning at the 1,500 finish but said she wasn’t affected by it in the 5,000.

Mackay’s time was 14:55.82. Houlihan was second in 14:57.88. Valby, who led until less than 600 meters remained, was third in 15:06.25. Sydney Vaught, winner of Thursday’s 10,000, was fourth in 15:08.41.

Mackay, 28, is from Endicott, N.Y., but had never raced at Icahn Stadium.

“It was one of the most fun races I’ve ever run, with the excitement building every single lap,” she said.

Elsewhere, high jumper Vashti Cunningham outdueled rival Charity Hufnagel, both clearing 6-3.5 (1.92m). It was the 17th U.S. title by Cunningham, 28, counting nine indoors and eight outdoors.

Anna Cockrell, also 28, took her first national title by winning the 400 hurdles in 52.94. Deonca Bookman, 30, a Prairie View A&M graduate, lowered her PB by 1.43 seconds to finish second in 53.95.

Dalilah Muhammad, 36, the 2016 Olympic champion and former world record-holder, was disqualified. Shamier Little was third in 54.37.

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, who recently gave birth to her first child, Muhammad and Little had combined to win every national title in the 400 hurdles since 2015.

Contact David Woods at [email protected].