Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados:
HURDLER KEISHA BROWN won Jamaica's first medal at the 12th Pan American Junior Athletic Championships at the National Stadium last night.
In a blazing 100 metres hurdle finish, Browns time of 13.86 seconds was good enough for third place behind the American pair of Dawn Harper (13.42) and Alndra Sherman (13.80). Another Jamaican, World Youth Championships silver medallist Latoya Greaves, was fourth in 13.91.
In the men's equivalent, the US again finished one-two with Kenneth Ferguson (13.60) racing to victory in a Pan American Junior record ahead of Dexter Faulk (13.82) and Barbados Jessie King (14.46). The 23-year-old record of 13.71 was held by another American, Rodney Wilson.
In the girls 100m quarter-finals, Tesfa Latty finished second in 10.67 seconds behind Danielle Bailey of Antigua and Barbuda (10.65).
In the girls 100m semi-finals, Jamaica's pair of Jody Powell and Sherone Simpson had to dig deep to qualify for the final, which was scheduled for 9:00 last night (local time).
Both athletes placed second in their respective semi-final heats, Simpsons 11.64 was bettered by the US's Wanda Hutson (11.62), while Powell, a teammate of Simpson at Manchester High did 11.91, in her heat which was won by Evelyn Dos Santos of Brazil (11.89).
In the first semi-final of the women's 400m, Sonita Sutherland booked her place in the final with a second-place finish. Meanwhile, Maxine Foster placed second in semi-final two and also secured a final spot, the times were not available at press time.
Also last night, Jamaica were down to contest finals in the girls high jump with Peaches Roach and Shaunette Davidson; the long jump for boys with Wilbert Walker and Kimani Kirton and Fabian Morgan were in the shot put.
