Juniors advance in numbers

Most of Jamaica’s athletes competing at the World Under-20 Championships in Eugene, Oregon, on the second day booked their spots in the next round of their respective events.

Leading the way was triple jumper Michael Andre Edwards, who will contest today’s men’s triple jump final at 8:25 p.m. Edwards needed just one attempt to achieve the automatic qualifying mark of 16.00 metres and heads into the final with the fifth best mark.

David Brown advanced to tomorrow’s men’s high jump final after clearing 2.14m to finish as the 12th and final qualifier.

In first-round action of the 400m hurdles and 400 metres, all the Jamaicans advanced to the semi-finals.

Both Jamaicans produced personal bests in the women’s 400m hurdles, as Maria Crossfield finished fourth in her heat in 58.22 seconds to be seventh overall, while Shevaughn Thomas was second in her heat in 58.38 to be 10th overall.

Among the males, Robert Miller finished second in 51.27 to be 15th overall, while Jahvanie Tyrell won in 51.02 to be 13th overall. Both the men’s and women’s semi-finals will take place tomorrow.

In the 400m, Daniella Dixon won her heat in 53.19 to advance sixth overall, while Shameika McLean clocked 53.95 to finish third in her heat and 17th overall.

Jason Pitter and Jabari Matheson advanced for the men’s 400m semis in contrasting fashion. Matheson, who has been very busy after running the opening leg twice in the mixed 4x400m relay, won his heat in 46.40 to be 12th overall. Pitter had to wait to secure his place after finishing fourth in his heat in 46.83 seconds, advancing as one of the fastest non-automatic qualifiers in 20th.

The quartet of Justin Stewart, Natrece East, Detarje Morgan and Kristen Herbert will contest Saturday’s mixed 4x100m relay final after finishing third in their heat in 42.08, to qualify seventh overall.

Great Britain lead all qualifiers with 41.60.

Sprint hurdlers will be the first Jamaicans on the track today. Ackeelah Bell and Tiana Marshall will contest the first round of the women’s 100m hurdles at 12:50 p.m. Jamaica time. Marquies Page and Taj O’Neil Gordon will compete in the men’s 110m hurdles, with the semi-finals of both events scheduled for the second session.

The first session will also feature the opening round of the women’s and men’s 200m. Shanoya Douglas and Sashana Johnson will represent Jamaica in the women’s event at 2:05 p.m., while world junior leader Gary Card and Nathaniel Martin will line up in the men’s event at 2:25 p.m.

Later in the day, the semi-finals of the women’s and men’s 800 metres will be contested. Kevangaye Fowler will compete in the women’s event at 8:05 p.m., while Joel Morgan will run in the men’s semi-final at 8:25 p.m.

The women’s 400m final at 10:45 p.m. and the men’s final at 10:53 p.m. will bring the curtains down on today’s third day of competition.