BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – Shalonda Solomon broke the Pan American Junior Championships record in the women’s 200m at the Barbados National Stadium in Waterford, St. Michael, to conclude a stunning performance by Team USA at the 2003 Pan Am Juniors.

The Long Beach Poly High School (Calif.) senior ran 23.21 in the preliminary round bettering Jamaica’s Liliana Allen’s previous record of 23.29 set in 1989. The 17-year-old, Solomon later improved her record to 22.93 in the final round to win gold in the 200m. Teammate Shana Cox of Westbury, N.Y., won bronze in 23.39.

“This is my last meet of the season and I am happy to go out with a bang,” said Solomon. The 2003 Pan Am Junior 100m champion did not have any doubts to continue her winning streak. “She (McLaughlin-Jamaica) was ahead of me on the curve, so I had to put everything using my arms and legs to make my way past on the straightaway.” Solomon ran the anchor leg in winning her third gold in the women’s 4X100m relay in 44.00. “This has been a great experience to compete against international talent,” Solomon continued.

Team USA topped the medal stand with 48 total medals Sunday night with Jamaica in second with 15 medals. The men tallied 23 medals including 10 gold, nine silver and four bronze while the women had 25 medals including 10 gold, nine silver and six bronze.

Kenneth Ferguson continued his winning streak after striking gold in the 400m hurdles with a time of 50.07 seconds. “In the beginning I was nervous because I wanted to run hard, but didn’t want to risk injury,” said Ferguson. “I always stutter step on the backstretch, but I was able to get my steps together around the curve.” The Detroit, Mich., native ran the third leg on the 4X400m relay team that set a Pan American Junior Championships record of 3:02.88 bettering the 3:03.53 set by Team USA in 1991. “I am just happy to bring home another gold,” Ferguson continued.

The men’s 4X100m relay team also set a Pan American Junior Championships record to win gold in 39.29 bettering Team USA’s 39.42 set in 1982. Carlos Moore of Lynwood, Calif., in his first time running the lead leg had no doubts about chasing the record. “I knew coming in that I was the best starter out there,” said Moore. “I focused on getting out fast since we were in the outside line from the other teams.”

Indiana University’s David Neville won silver in the men’s 200m race that had a World Junior record tied by Usain Bolt of Jamaica. The sophomore-to-be from Merriville, Ind., ran 20.63. “I am so excited this is my first time under 21 (seconds),” said Neville. “I tried to catch up with him (Bolt) but couldn’t after he set that record (World Junior record 20.13).

Angela Marvin of Kingwood, Texas won gold in the women’s 2000m steeplechase in 6:37.84. “It was a good strong race and I am really happy after working with adverse conditions,” said Marvin. I got a PR falling down twice in the pit on the first and last barrier. I am just privileged to be here,” Marvin continued. Indiana University’s Kelly Siefker won silver in 6:40.87 to complete another dynamic duo performance. “This was a pretty laid back race for me,” said Siefker. “I focused on trying to accelerate into the barriers while keeping up with Angela (Marvin).”

Chantelle Dron of New Hampshire won silver in the women’s 1500m in 4:26.66. “I started a bit slow, some days I am a little off and today was one of them,” said Dron. Elizabeth Maloy of Loudonville, N.Y., won bronze in 4:26.87. “I am happy with my finish since I have not run in a few months and also excited to be here competing,” said Maloy.

BYU-bound Julene Bailey cleared 4.05m/13-3.50 to win gold in the women’s pole vault while the University of California-bound teammate Kira Kosta cleared 4.00m/13-1.50 to win bronze. The 18-year-old Bailey had one of the best overall performances in her career. “This is one of the most amazing feelings,” said Bailey. “I was not going to let this (championship) slip away which is why I knew I had to clear each height on my first attempt to win.

Beth Mallory added a silver medal in the women’s hammer throw to her silver in the discus throw from Friday evening. The University of Alabama sophomore-to-be in her first year competing in the event threw 57.75m/189-5. “This was a great way to end my season. It was exciting to get a PR,” said Mallory.

George Mason University’s Alyce Williams leaped 12.87m/42-2.75 to win silver in the women’s triple jump. “I need to work on my second phase and my entrance into the pit needs to improve. I am excited that I contributed to USA's 48 medals. I am happy," said Williams.

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 8:27 PM 7/20/2003 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	20	18	10	48		
	Cuba	7	1	1	9		
	Brazil	5	2	3	10		
	Argentina	2	1	2	5		
	Peru	2	0	0	2		
	Jamaica	1	9	5	15		
	Canada	1	4	6	11		
	Mexico	1	4	0	5		
	St. Lucia	1	1	0	2		
	Ecuador	1	0	1	2		
	Netherlands Antilles	1	0	0	1		
	Dominician Republic	1	0	0	1		
	Trinidad And Tobago	0	2	2	4		
	Chile	0	1	1	2		
	Antigua And Barbuda	0	1	0	1		
	Venezuela	0	0	4	4		
	Barbados	0	0	3	3		
	Columbia	0	0	1	1		
	Nicaragua	0	0	1	1		
	Bahamas	0	0	1	1		
	Puerta Rico	0	0	1	1		
 
	Men	
 
 
	Team		Gold	Silver	Bronze	Total		
 
	United States	10	9	4	23		
	Brazil	3	1	3	7		
	Cuba	3	1	1	5		
	Canada	1	3	4	8		
	Mexico	1	3	0	4		
	Jamaica	1	2	2	5		
	Argentina	1	1	1	3		
	Ecuador	1	0	0	1		
	Netherlands Antilles	1	0	0	1		
	Antigua And Barbuda	0	1	0	1		
	Trinidad And Tobago	0	1	0	1		
	Venezuela	0	0	3	3		
	Bahamas	0	0	1	1		
	Puerta Rico	0	0	1	1		
	Barbados	0	0	1	1		
	Chile	0	0	1	1		
 
	Women	
 
 
	Team		Gold	Silver	Bronze	Total		
 
	United States	10	9	6	25		
	Cuba	4	0	0	4		
	Brazil	2	1	0	3		
	Peru	2	0	0	2		
	St. Lucia	1	1	0	2		
	Argentina	1	0	1	2		
	Dominician Republic	1	0	0	1		
	Jamaica	0	7	3	10		
	Trinidad And Tobago	0	1	2	3		
	Canada	0	1	2	3		
	Chile	0	1	0	1		
	Mexico	0	1	0	1		
	Barbados	0	0	2	2		
	Venezuela	0	0	1	1		
	Nicaragua	0	0	1	1		
	Columbia	0	0	1	1		
	Ecuador	0	0	1	1