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Melissa Jefferson-Wooden is an American sprinter who has become one of the biggest names in women’s track and field. She rose from a college standout at Coastal Carolina University to an Olympic medalist and world champion. Her latest success has now pushed her further into the global spotlight.
In September 2026, Jefferson-Wooden won both the women’s 100m and 200m at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest. She ran 21.47 seconds in the 200m, making her the third-fastest woman in history, and earned $300,000 for the sprint double.
Melissa Jefferson-Wooden Quick Facts
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | Melissa Jefferson-Wooden |
| Birth name | Melissa Jefferson |
| Date of birth | February 21, 2001 |
| Age | 25 |
| Birthplace | Georgetown, South Carolina |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Track and field sprinter |
| Main events | 100m and 200m |
| College | Coastal Carolina University |
| Husband | Rolan Wooden II |
| Parents | Melvin Jefferson and Johanna Jefferson |
| Olympic medals | 1 gold, 1 bronze |
| Current status | World champion sprinter |
Who Is Melissa Jefferson-Wooden?
Melissa Jefferson-Wooden is a professional American sprinter specializing in the 100m and 200m. She previously competed under her maiden name, Melissa Jefferson, before marrying Rolan Wooden II in 2025 and adopting the Jefferson-Wooden surname.
Her breakthrough came at Coastal Carolina, where she became the university’s first individual NCAA national champion. She won the NCAA indoor 60m title in 2022 before making her international breakthrough with Team USA.
How Old Is Melissa Jefferson-Wooden?
Melissa Jefferson-Wooden is 25 years old in September 2026. She was born on February 21, 2001, in Georgetown, South Carolina, and grew up in the state before attending Coastal Carolina University.
She became interested in athletics during her youth and developed into an elite sprinter through high school and college competition. Her progress accelerated during her junior year at Coastal Carolina, when she won the NCAA indoor 60m championship and the U.S. 100m title.
Melissa Jefferson-Wooden Parents
Her parents are Melvin Jefferson and Johanna Jefferson. Her family played an important role in her journey, particularly during a serious health crisis involving her father.
Melvin was diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome while his daughter was a high school junior. When doctors could not find a suitable donor, Melissa became the compatible family donor and donated stem cells to help save his life.
The experience became one of the defining stories of her rise in athletics. It also helped shape the strong family connection she continues to emphasize in interviews and public appearances.
Melissa Jefferson-Wooden’s Husband
Melissa Jefferson-Wooden is married to Rolan Wooden II, her college sweetheart. The couple met while attending Coastal Carolina, where Jefferson competed in track and Wooden played football.
Wooden proposed during a beach picnic in October 2023. They married on March 2, 2025, in Florida, surrounded by family, friends and several fellow athletes.
The wedding included several prominent sports figures, including Olympic sprinter Twanisha Terry and NFL player Isaiah Likely. Jefferson described the occasion as a dream come true and said she was marrying her best friend.
Melissa Jefferson-Wooden’s Track Career
Jefferson-Wooden established herself as an elite collegiate sprinter at Coastal Carolina. Her NCAA indoor 60m victory in 2022 made her the school’s first individual national champion, while her performances that year earned her major national attention.
She turned professional after her breakout 2022 season and signed with Nike. That same year, she won gold with the United States in the women’s 4x100m relay at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene. She also helped the American relay team win gold at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest.
Her biggest Olympic breakthrough came in Paris in 2024. She won bronze in the individual 100m and then helped the United States win gold in the 4x100m relay.
World Championship Success
Jefferson-Wooden reached another level at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. She won the 100m in 10.61 seconds, then captured the 200m title in 21.68 seconds.
She completed the championship with a third gold medal in the women’s 4x100m relay. That made her the first American woman to complete the World Championships sprint double and relay triple.
Her 2026 season has continued that momentum. In August, she defeated Olympic champion Julien Alfred in the Silesia Diamond League 100m with a season-best 10.78 seconds.
Melissa Jefferson-Wooden’s 2026 Breakthrough
The biggest recent development came at the 2026 World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest. Jefferson-Wooden won the 100m before returning the following night to capture the 200m in 21.47 seconds.
That time ranks as the third-fastest women’s 200m performance in history. Her two victories also earned her a combined $300,000 prize, making the weekend one of the most lucrative competitions of her career.
The result further strengthened her position among the world’s leading sprinters. It also gives her a major storyline heading into the next stage of her professional career.
Melissa Jefferson-Wooden Net Worth
Melissa Jefferson-Wooden’s exact net worth is not publicly verified. Some sports publications estimated her wealth at about $400,000 in 2024 and 2025, based on competition earnings, sponsorships and endorsements. Those estimates should not be treated as official financial figures.
Her earning potential has grown substantially as her profile has increased. She now has major championship prize money, sponsorship income and endorsement opportunities, while her latest $300,000 Ultimate Championship payout adds significantly to her recent competition earnings.
Melissa Jefferson-Wooden Major Achievements
Her most notable achievements include:
- 2024 Olympic 100m bronze medal
- 2024 Olympic 4x100m relay gold medal
- 2022 World Championships 4x100m gold
- 2023 World Championships 4x100m gold
- 2025 World Championships 100m gold
- 2025 World Championships 200m gold
- 2025 World Championships 4x100m gold
- 2026 World Athletics Ultimate Championship 100m and 200m titles
- 2022 NCAA indoor 60m championship
- 21.47-second 200m in September 2026, the third-fastest women’s mark ever recorded
Conclusion
Melissa Jefferson-Wooden has transformed from a promising Coastal Carolina sprinter into one of the world’s most successful active athletes. Her Olympic medals, three 2025 world titles and remarkable 2026 performances have established her among the elite of women’s sprinting.
Her latest Budapest double provides another defining chapter. Winning both sprints and running 21.47 seconds in the 200m showed that her ambitions now extend well beyond Olympic medal contention.
Away from competition, her marriage to Rolan Wooden and close relationship with her parents remain important parts of her story. At only 25, Jefferson-Wooden has already built an extraordinary record while leaving plenty of room for further achievements.
