BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – Team USA won total of 29 medals Saturday night at the Pan American Junior Championships at the Barbados National Stadium in Waterford, St. Michael.

Ashton Collins and Jeremy Wariner intensified their Texas state rivalry providing an exciting photo finish men’s 400m dash. Collins of the University of Texas won in 45.59 seconds. “I was nervous because Jeremy (45.63) was running behind me in lane three and I was in lane four. He’s capable of beating me,” said Collins. “I had to run harder than usual because I could see Jeremy’s shadow around the 200m mark. I tried to stay relaxed when I shot off the curve. With five meters to go, I realized that I was accelerating while Jeremy was slowing down. From that point on, I knew I had him,” Collins continued.

“I wanted to get out strong the first 200m because Ashton my strongest competition was on the outside,” said Wariner. “I thought I had enough to hold off because I thought I was ahead, but I could not catch Ashton at the end. I look forward to my Big 12 (college) conference rematches with Ashton during the indoor season,” Wariner continued.

The University of South Carolina-bound Stephanie Smith ran 52.52 to win gold in the 400m while women’s team captain for Team USA, Angel Perkins, ran 52.76 to win silver. “I just wanted to do my best, but winning was most important. I wanted to execute and make sure that Team USA finished first and second,” said Smith. “I think it is wonderful that we won gold and silver,” said Perkins. “I wanted to keep my normal strides and give it my all the last 40 to 50 meters,” Perkins continued.

The University of Arkansas-bound Keith Moffit won gold in the men’s high jump. The 6-foot, 8-inch Virginia native cleared 2.20m/7-2.50. “I felt pretty comfortable and energized coming into the meet,” said Moffit. “I had to open up my stride because I knew this was a fast track. I had to keep my body from getting to far away from the bar.”

National high school shot put record holder Michelle Carter tossed 16.23m/53-3 to win gold in the women’s shot put. The University of Texas-bound Carter set a prep record last May of 16.73 meters/54 feet, 10.75 inches at the Texas State high school championships. UCLA’s Renee Williams leaped 6.19m/20-3.75 to win bronze in the women’s long jump.

Stanford University’s Brett Gotcher ran 30:39.51 to win gold in the men’s 10,000m. “I got into my rhythm on the second lap and just wanted to stay in the middle,” said Gotcher. “It was great to have some support here to win my first gold. Coming around the last 100m to see the U.S. fans cheer at the end was a big boost for me.”

2003 Washington State hammer throw prep champion, Nick Owens won silver in the men’s hammer throw. The University of North Carolina-bound Owens tossed 65.13m/213-8. “I just tried to launch out as far as I could,” said Owens. “My last performance was the best in my life, but I fouled by stepping on the line after I finished the throw. Overall, I really had a great performance today.”

For more information on the 2003 Pan American Junior Championships, including results and complete coverage of this year’s event, visit the USATF website at www.usatf.org.

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Licensed To: C.F.P.I. Timing & Data Hy-Tek's MEET MANAGER 8:18 PM 7/19/2003 Page 1 ROYAL BANK OF CANADA - 7/18/2003 to 7/20/2003 PAN AM JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS IN ATHLETICS 200 National Stadium, WATERFORD ST. MICHAEL Medal Count Combined: Men + Women

 
	Team		Gold	Silver	Bronze	Total		
 
	United States	13	10	6	29		
	Cuba	3	1	1	5		
	Brazil	2	1	1	4		
	Mexico	1	4	0	5		
	Jamaica	1	3	4	8		
	Canada	1	1	2	4		
	Argentina	1	1	2	4		
	Peru	1	0	0	1		
	Netherlands Antilles	1	0	0	1		
	Trinidad And Tobago	0	1	1	2		
	Dominician Republic	0	1	0	1		
	St. Lucia	0	1	0	1		
	Barbados	0	0	2	2		
	Venezuela	0	0	2	2		
	Chile	0	0	1	1		
	Columbia	0	0	1	1		
	Bahamas	0	0	1	1		
 
	Men	
 
 
	Team		Gold	Silver	Bronze	Total		
 
	United States	7	6	4	17		
	Brazil	2	1	1	4		
	Mexico	1	3	0	4		
	Canada	1	1	1	3		
	Cuba	1	1	1	3		
	Argentina	1	1	1	3		
	Netherlands Antilles	1	0	0	1		
	Trinidad And Tobago	0	1	0	1		
	Venezuela	0	0	2	2		
	Bahamas	0	0	1	1		
	Chile	0	0	1	1		
	Barbados	0	0	1	1		
	Jamaica	0	0	1	1		
 
	Women	
 
 
	Team		Gold	Silver	Bronze	Total		
 
	United States	6	4	2	12		
	Cuba	2	0	0	2		
	Jamaica	1	3	3	7		
	Peru	1	0	0	1		
	St. Lucia	0	1	0	1		
	Dominician Republic	0	1	0	1		
	Mexico	0	1	0	1		
	Trinidad And Tobago	0	0	1	1		
	Barbados	0	0	1	1		
	Argentina	0	0	1	1		
	Canada	0	0	1	1		
	Columbia	0	0	1	1