Alaysia Oakes: A Multifaceted Talent in Track and Field

Alaysia Oakes has established herself as one of the most versatile and accomplished track and field athletes of her generation, excelling in sprints, long jump, and triple jump. Her journey from a dominant high school career in Virginia to becoming a standout at Stanford University exemplifies a rare blend of athletic prowess, academic excellence, and competitive resilience. With 26 total state titles across high school and collegiate competitions, Oakes has redefined expectations for multi-event athletes while maintaining a commitment to scholarly achievement17.

Early Life and High School Dominance

Foundations in Lynchburg, Virginia

Born and raised in Lynchburg, Virginia, Alaysia Oakes attended Heritage High School, where her athletic versatility first came to prominence. By her senior year, she had accumulated 19 individual VHSL state championships, a record believed to surpass any female athlete in Virginia history9. Her dominance was particularly evident at the 2022 Virginia Class 3 Indoor Championships, where she single-handedly scored 50 of her team’s 86 points by winning five events: the 55m (7.09), 300m (40.86), 500m (1:17.42), long jump (19-10¾), and triple jump (39-2½)19. This performance not only secured her team’s state title but also highlighted her ability to excel across disparate disciplines, from short sprints to technical jumps49.

Record-Breaking Performances

Oakes’ high school career was marked by consistent improvement and national recognition. At the 2022 New Balance Outdoor Nationals, she set a lifetime best in the long jump at 20-3¾ (6.19m), ranking her U.S. No. 39 in the event117. Her triple jump mark of 40-7¾ (12.38m) at the Virginia Showcase further solidified her reputation as a national contender417. Academically, Oakes graduated as valedictorian with a 4.0 GPA, earning recognition from the Lynchburg City Council for her dual achievements in athletics and scholarship17.

Collegiate Career at Stanford University

Freshman Breakthrough (2023)

Oakes’ transition to Stanford in 2023 was immediate. At the Stanford Invitational, she won the collegiate division of both the triple jump (41-1/12.52m) and long jump (19-6¾/5.96m), signaling her readiness for NCAA competition110. Indoors, she debuted with a 7.59 in the 60m and a 19-2½ (5.85m) long jump at the Spokane Invitational, showcasing her adaptability to collegiate-level meets1.

Sophomore Ascension (2024)

The 2024 season saw Oakes emerge as a force in the Pac-12 (now ACC). Indoors, she leaped to No. 6 on Stanford’s all-time indoor long jump list with a 20-6½ (6.26m) performance at the Don Kirby Invitational110. Outdoors, she broke her 100m personal best three times, culminating in an 11.90 at the Big Meet, while also qualifying for the NCAA West Prelims in the triple jump with a mark of 41-9¾w (12.74m)110. Her versatility was further emphasized by a 24.83w in the 200m and a 20-1½ (6.13m) long jump, demonstrating her range across sprints and horizontal jumps1.

Junior Year Excellence (2025)

By 2025, Oakes had refined her technical execution. At the New Mexico Collegiate Classic, she recorded season bests of 19-5½ (5.93m) in the long jump and 40-8¼ (12.40m) in the triple jump110. Her 60m sprint time of 7.52 at the UW Indoor Preview placed her fifth nationally, while her 41-11½ (12.48m) triple jump at the Ken Shannon Invite underscored her consistency110. Outdoors, she peaked at the ACC Championships with a 12.93m (42-5¼) triple jump, ranking her 28th at the NCAA West Prelims1017.

Technical Prowess and Training Philosophy

Multi-Event Synergy

Oakes’ success stems from a training regimen that capitalizes on the biomechanical overlap between sprints and jumps. Her sprint speed—evidenced by an 11.90 100m—provides the velocity necessary for explosive takeoffs, while her gymnastics background enhances body control during jump phases110. Stanford’s coaching staff has focused on optimizing her approach rhythms, particularly in the triple jump, where her “hop-dominated” phase ratio (36%-30%-34%) maximizes distance through precise force application1017.

Injury Management and Adaptation

Early-career hamstring injuries informed Oakes’ emphasis on preventative conditioning. She incorporates eccentric hamstring curls (120% bodyweight) and force plate analysis to refine takeoff angles, reducing injury risk while improving performance17. Her ability to adjust to wind conditions—a challenge in outdoor jumps—has been honed through video analysis and real-time feedback during practice10.

Academic and Cultural Impact

Scholar-Athlete Balance

Maintaining a 3.50 GPA as a Stanford economics major, Oakes exemplifies the student-athlete model317. She mentors through Youth Jump Clinics and collaborates with the Deadly Choices Initiative, promoting health in Indigenous communities17. Her academic focus on economic policy reflects her long-term goal of addressing disparities in sports funding3.

Representation and Legacy

As an African American athlete in jumps—a discipline historically dominated by white athletes—Oakes actively challenges stereotypes. She participates in Stanford’s Black Student Union and advocates for diversity in track and field coaching17. Her pre-race ritual of listening to Maya Angelou’s poetry underscores her commitment to cultural pride17.

Future Trajectory and Olympic Aspirations

Technical Development Areas

Stanford’s coaching staff identifies key growth opportunities:

1. Phase Transition Optimization: Reducing energy loss between triple jump phases

2. Wind Reading: Enhancing adjustments for variable conditions

3. Peak Timing: Aligning fitness cycles with major championships1017

Road to Brisbane 2032

With the 2032 Olympics as a target, Oakes’ progression curve suggests potential to challenge the 13.50m triple jump and 6.50m long jump barriers by 202717. Her planned 2025 summer block at the Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center will focus on altitude adaptation and plyometric capacity17.

Conclusion

Alaysia Oakes’ career embodies the convergence of technical mastery, intellectual curiosity, and cultural responsibility. From rewriting Virginia’s record books to ascending Stanford’s all-time lists, she has consistently defied expectations. As she navigates the transition from collegiate star to Olympic hopeful, Oakes’ story transcends athletics, offering a blueprint for balancing elite performance with academic and social impact. With seven years until Brisbane 2032, each leap and sprint brings this multifaceted athlete closer to etching her name among track and field’s immortals.

Go Alaysia!