Sports
Rising Star: JaMeesia Ford’s Sprint to Stardom
Article and Photo by Dr. Jerome Dorn
JaMeesia Ford, born on January 26, 2005, is blazing a trail in the world of track and field. This American sprint sensation, originally from Hampton, Virginia, has rapidly ascended the ranks, making her mark as a dominant force in sprinting. Competing for the University of South Carolina, Ford’s list of accolades is impressive for someone so young, including the prestigious title of NCAA 200 meters indoor champion as of March 2024.
Ford’s journey into athletics began at the tender age of nine. After relocating to Fayetteville, North Carolina, she joined the Fayetteville Flyers, where her talent was quickly recognized and nurtured. During her high school years at Jack Britt High School, Ford’s prowess on the track was undeniable. She claimed gold in both the 200 meters and 400 meters at the N.C. High School Athletic Association 4-A Mideast Regional Championships. Her victory in the 200 meters at the AAU Junior Olympic Games in Greensboro, North Carolina, in 2019, further underscored her potential, as she clinched gold at just 14 years old.
Ford’s remarkable progress continued unabated. In August 2023, she added an international gold medal to her collection as part of the mixed 4×400 meters relay team at the Pan American U20 Athletics Championships in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. By December 2023, she had etched her name into the history books, running the fastest American indoor 300 meters ever by a U20 woman in Indianapolis. Her time of 35.83 seconds eclipsed the previous record set by Sydney McLaughlin in 2017 and placed her fourth-fastest among American women and seventh on the all-time world indoor performer list.
Her indoor season in early 2024 was nothing short of spectacular. At the Tiger Paw International in Clemson, South Carolina, Ford set a new American U20 indoor record for the 200 meters with a time of 22.36 seconds, surpassing the previous record set by Bianca Knight in 2008. In the same meet, she posted a personal best of 51.33 seconds in the 400 meters. She continued to shine at the NCAA Indoor Championships in Boston, where she claimed the 200 meters title with a time of 22.34 seconds.
Ford’s outdoor season saw further successes. On May 11, 2024, at the SEC Outdoor Championships in Gainesville, Florida, she lowered her personal best in the 200 meters to 22.11 seconds. She then ran an even more impressive 22.08 seconds to secure second place in the 200 meters at the NCAA Championships final in Eugene, Oregon.
With personal bests of 11.50 seconds in the 100 meters, 22.08 seconds in the 200 meters, and 51.33 seconds in the 400 meters, JaMeesia Ford has cemented her status as a formidable sprinter. Her accomplishments indoors include a 200 meters best of 22.34 seconds and a world U20 record 300 meters time of 35.83 seconds.
As she continues to break records and collect titles, JaMeesia Ford is undoubtedly a name to watch in the track and field world. Her journey from a young talent in Virginia to an NCAA champion exemplifies dedication, hard work, and an unyielding pursuit of excellence. The future looks incredibly bright for this rising star, and the track and field community eagerly anticipates her next achievements.
