‘I love running out of lane three’ - Oakley survives difficult draw to create history with NCAA 400m triumph

WHEN Jamaica's Dejanea Oakley won the women's 400 metres Indoor title on Saturday at the NCAA Division I Indoor Track and Field Championships out of lane three, it was the first time ever that an athlete won from that lane at the Championships.

Representing the University of Georgia, Oakley, who clocked a personal best and world number two time of 50.47 seconds for the win, competed in the first heat of the two-section final.

Normally, the fastest qualifiers are placed in the second heat, and Oakley, who won her preliminary round in 51.43 seconds, advanced as the eighth and final qualifier for the final.

Speaking in a post-race interview, Oakley was very excited about her feat.

"I was determined to do my best as this was my final indoor competition, and I love running out of lane three as this is my favourite lane indoors," said the former Clarendon College representative.

Due to her lane placing in the final, the odds were always stacked against the Jamaican because extended energy was needed to get in front and secure pole position before the crossover point, which she did before pulling away for the win.

Oakley then had to sit, watch and await her fate given the second final, which included Ella Onojuvwevwo of Louisiana State University, who was the fastest qualifier with a world-leading 50.28 seconds. That final also included Madison Whyte of the University of Southern California and Sanaria Butler of the University of Arkansas, who had qualifying times of 50.67 and 50.70 seconds, respectively.

In the end, Oakley's winning time proved to be the fastest overall, giving her the title and another first, by becoming the first athlete to win the event while competing in Section A of the final. Whyte's winning time of 50.68 seconds in the second section was not good enough to unseat Oakley at the top.

"I am very happy that I came out and got the win. It has been a rough season for me as I was ill for most of the season, but with encouragement from my coach and teammates I was able to prevail," said Oakley.