Melissa Jefferson-Wooden constructed a flawless season on the track in 2025 and was honored alongside Rai Benjamin as USA Track and Field athletes of the year on Friday.
Hints of how dominant Jefferson-Wooden would be all year were evident when she quickly became the top performer at all three Grand Slam Track events. She would continue her winning ways in three Diamond League wins in three appearances in the women’s 100m and then turned her attention to the world stage in Tokyo in September. Jefferson-Wooden became the first American woman to win in the 100m, 200m and helped power Team USA women’s 4x100m relay team to gold. Despite being snubbed for World Athletics top athlete honors, Jefferson-Wooden was still buzzing about executing one of the best individual seasons in the sport.
“I am so happy to be this year’s recipient for the Jackie Joyner Kersey Award,” Jefferson-Wooden said in a statement. “It means so much to me with the year that I’ve had. And it’s just a testament to all the hard work that I put in this year. And to know that it didn’t go unnoticed means the world to me.”
Benjamin, who is the current Olympic champion, capped a strong year in Tokyo where he won the men’s 400m hurdles gold for his first solo at world championship title. Later in Tokyo he was the anchor leg on Team USA’s silver medal performance in the men’s 4x400m relay.
Dennis Mitchell received the coach of the year prize and led a powerhouse group of six athletes, including Jefferson-Wooden, to a a combined 10 medals at the 2025 World Championships. The women’s 4x100m relay team that won gold in Tokyo were all coached by Mitchell (Sha’Carri Richardson, TeeTee Terry and Kayla Dee).
Meanwhile in Tokyo, he guided Kenny Bednarek to silver in the 200m — with Bednarek and training partners Christian Coleman and Courtney Lindsey to helping boost Team USA win the men’s 4x100m relay. Tonea Marshall became the fifth fastest American woman ever in the 100m hurdles with a 12.26 run at the Diamond League meet in Poland.
“As coaches, you know, we don’t get a lot of credit for the things that we do. And to be able to even just be eligible to receive an award like this … is a great honor for me,” Mitchell said in a statement. “This is my second time receiving this award in three years, and I am extremely happy to be Nike Coach of the Year.”
High school phenom Cooper Lutkenhaus won the youth athlete of the year award and at 16 years old, became the youngest American to ever compete at a world championships in September. He earned his spot on Team USA with a 1:42.27 second place finish in the men’s 800m final at the U.S. Outdoor National Championships in July — breaking the U18 world record and U20 American record.
“This award means more to me than I can put into words,” Lutkenhaus said. “Track and field has shaped who I am, not just as an athlete, but as a person. I’m grateful for every step, stride, and sometimes stumble that brought me here.”
Annie Carey won the top female para athlete award and Jaydin Blackwell won the male para athlete prize.
USA Track and Field 2025 End of Year awards
Jackie Joyner Kersee Female Athlete of the Year: Melissa Jefferson-Wooden
Jesse Owens Male Athlete of the Year: Rai Benjamin
Coach of the Year: Dennis Mitchell
Youth Athlete of the Year: Cooper Lutkenhaus
Para Athletics Female Athlete of the Year: Annie Carey
Para Athletics Male Athlete of the Year: Jaydin Blackwell
