Justin Gatlin has tipped track and field youngsters Lisa Raye and Melanie Doggett for greatness following their impressive performance at the Milrose Games.
Former world champion Justin Gatlin has drawn comparisons between track and field youngsters Lisa Raye and Melanie Doggett to the legendary Allyson Felix.
The pair recently headlined the 2025 Milrose Games with electrifying performances in the 60m.
Raye, 17, won the 60m race with a time of 7.13 seconds, breaking the previous U.S. high school record.
Doggett, 13, came in second with a time of 7.17 seconds, showcasing immense potential at such a young age.
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Their outstanding performances prompted the former world record holder to compare them to Felix when she first burst onto the scene at a similar age.
“First of all, wow! When it comes to Melanie Doggett’s start—wow—it was amazing,” said Gatlin in a recent episode of the Ready Set Go podcast.
“I was just eating popcorn while slowing down the video just to watch the start, the mechanics of her form, and her movement. She was leading the race all the way up to about maybe two and a half steps before the finish line,” he added.
The Olympic gold medalist highlighted Raye’s ability to remain composed even under unfamiliar circumstances.
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“Now, what also impressed me was Lisa’s race composure. She’s been running this whole season leading the pack, and when she had to run someone down to get the victory—she stayed so composed,” noted Gatlin.
“She reeled her back in. It was no struggle. She moved like a veteran in that race. She understood what she needed to do. She didn’t rig up. She didn’t get tired. She handled business there,” he added.
Gatlin further emphasized the significance of their performances, stating, “7.17 and 7.13 would have made second place and fourth place in the women’s 60 meters at the Milrose professional level. That’s what we’re talking about right now.”
“A middle schooler would have gotten fourth, and a high schooler would have gotten second.”
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The pair’s performance earned them high praise from the former world record holder, as he drew comparison to seven-time Olympic gold medalist Allyson Felix.
“This is the stuff that a lot of this generation hasn’t really seen before. But this is very Allyson Felix-esque. When Allyson jumped into these races, she was putting herself in and establishing herself in professional races, and she was on the podium,” expressed Gatlin.
“She was getting thirds or seconds, whatever like that, but she was right there. It showed that she was destined to be great. These two girls are on that same path. That’s what we’re looking at,” Gatlin concluded.
Felix was a standout track and field athlete in high school, winning multiple state titles and setting records before embarking on a professional career that spanned two decades.
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She went on to amass seven Olympic gold medals and multiple world titles, solidifying her legacy as one of the greatest sprinters of all time.
If Felix’s career trajectory is anything to go by, then Raye and Doggett could be poised for illustrious careers of their own following Gatlin’s nod of approval.
Their performances at the Milrose Games have already signaled the arrival of two future stars in track and field.
