BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - The 2002 World Junior Championships 400m hurdles silver medalist, Kenneth Ferguson, set a Pan American Junior Championships record in winning the men’s 110m hurdles Friday night at the Barbados National Stadium in Waterford, St. Michael.

The University of South Carolina sophomore-to-be had a time of 13.60 seconds bettering Rodney Wilson’s 13.71 seconds in 1980. “Before the race, I was just trying to place because of the pain in my groin,” said Ferguson. “My adrenaline went up (during the race) and with my teammates cheering for the U.S., the pain had gone away temporarily. I am excited, this is my first individual gold medal,” Ferguson continued.

Dexter Faulk of Atlanta, Ga., won silver to add to Team USA’s medal count. The 19-year-old Barton County Community College (Kan.) had a time of 13.82. “This is an amazing experience to show our country and others what we are made of,” said Faulk. “I didn’t run the way I wanted, but I’ve learned and progressed a lot since my last international competition.”

In other action, Team USA had a few dynamic duo gold and silver medal performances to open the first day. UCLA’s Dawn Harper was the first to strike gold earlier in the evening by winning the women’s 100m hurdles in 13.42. “I just wanted to have quick feet over the hurdle and attack each one aggressively,” said Harper. Alandra Sherman of Houston, Texas continued Team USA’s dominance with her silver medal in the women’s 100m hurdles. The senior at Eisenhower High School had a time of 13.80. “I got out good beating most of the athletes out of the blocks,” said Sherman. “I hit a couple hurdles that made me get off step, but I managed to stay in there and finish strong. I am happy and could not have asked for any other way because Dawn (Harper) and I came in here with a goal to take first and second place.”

Amarachi Ukabam of Ohio State won gold in the women’s discus throw with a toss of 52.05m/170-9. “I felt I could have done better technically, but my goal was to win and that is what I did. It really feels great to get my first gold medal in an international competition,” said Ukabam. The three-time Ohio state discus throw champion and the University of Alabama’s Beth Mallory won silver with her toss of 50.91m/167-0. “I would have liked to do better, but you do what you do that day (to win). I am happy to be here and compete for Team USA,” said Mallory.

Florida State University’s Garrett Johnson tossed 19.95m/65-5.50 to win gold in the men’s shot put while Noah Bryant of the University of Southern California won silver with a toss of 19.40m/63-7.75. “I am happy to set a personal record amongst the tough competition with the top three spots so close. The atmosphere was great to get my first medal competing internationally,” said Bryant.

The 2003 USA Junior Outdoor Championships 5 km runner-up, Galen Rupp of Portland, won the men’s 5,000m in a personal best time of 14:20.29. “I was relaxed during the race even though the pace was fast at the start,” said Rupp. “I made my move earlier than I had planned and took the lead after six laps. Peter (Meindl) helped me out with seven laps to go. I got a little nervous when the Mexican athlete surged right by me with two laps to go,” Rupp continued.

The Cal-Poly San Luis Obispo-bound Sharon Day leaped 1.85m/6-0.75 to win gold before the clock struck midnight in the women’s high jump. “I am happy that we were able to jump tonight (due to the decathlon men’s high jump going over), it felt good after my third jump and confident that I would stay on top. I was leaning to early on my take off because the flow wasn’t there,” said Day.

Justin Ryncavage of the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill won silver in the men’s javelin throw with a toss of 68.30m/224-1. “I started out rusty, but was able to recover to finish with a medal. I put it all together on my second throw in the finals to set my personal best,” said Ryncavage. Teammate and Coastal Carolina University-bound Thomas Jordan won bronze with a throw of 63.57m/208-6. “I am just glad to be here in Barbados. It feels really good to wear this medal around my neck for my country. Second and third place is not bad for Team USA,” said Jordan.

Laura Zeigle of South Jordan, Utah ran 10:04.18 to win silver in the women’s 3,000m race. “This was a good experience for me because I have not run in two to three months. I just wanted to have fun and see where I stand,” said Zeigle. Ronald Hill of Mt. SAC College won bronze in the men’s long jump with a leap of 7.58m/24-10.50. Donavan Kilmartin is in second place after five events in the men’s decathlon with 3,746 points. He won the men’s decathlon long jump (6.92m/22-8.50). “I am just trying to stay healthy and make it through to tomorrow,” said Kilmartin.

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