World U20 sprint team chases history

At this year’s World Under-20 Championships in Eugene, Oregon, one of the most anticipated events will be the women’s 4x100m relay, where Jamaica will be hoping to create history and continue their dominance.

The country’s women will be aiming to become the first team to win four consecutive World Under-20 4x100m relay titles, following victories in Nairobi, Kenya, in 2021; Cali, Colombia, in 2022; and Lima, Peru, in 2024.

Since claiming their first title on home soil in 2002, when the quartet of Sherone Simpson, Keron Stewart, Aneisha McLaughlin, and Simone Facey struck gold, Jamaica have added three more titles to take their overall tally to four. Only the United States, with seven titles, have won more. The Americans have achieved three consecutive victories on two occasions, but Jamaica now have the opportunity to become the first nation to win four straight relay crowns.

When the quartet of Serena Cole, Tina Clayton, Kerrica Hill, and Tia Clayton won in 2021, they became the first team to dip below 43 seconds at the championships, clocking a World Under-20 record 42.94 seconds to erase Germany’s previous mark of 43.27. A year later in Cali, the same quartet lowered that record to 42.59 seconds before Jamaica completed a hat-trick of titles in Lima. There, the team of Shanoya Douglas, Alliah Baker, Briana Campbell, and Alana Reid won in 43.39 seconds.

Now, two years later, Jamaica, led by Douglas, will be hoping to defend their title and create history. Once again, it is expected to be a fierce battle with the United States, who will be eager to end Jamaica’s dominance. The hosts, who won on home soil in 2014, will be looking to repeat that feat.

Both teams appear strong on paper. Douglas leads the Jamaican squad with her world-leading 10.98 seconds over 100 metres and is expected to be joined by Theianna-Lee Terrelonge (11.18), Natrece East (11.21), and either Sashana Johnson or Reneica Edwards.

The United States line-up will be spearheaded by the Maxwell twins as they attempt to emulate what Jamaican twins Tia and Tina Clayton achieved in previous championships. Mia Maxwell leads the Americans with 11.08 seconds, while Mariah Maxwell has a best of 11.17. Backed by their home crowd, the Americans will be confident of denying Jamaica.