SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic – Reigning U.S. champion James Parker (Great Falls, Montana) and John McEwen (North Canton, Ohio) finished second and third, respectively, in the men's hammer throw Thursday morning to kick off the third day of track and field competition in the Pan American Games at Juan Pablo Duarte Olympic Stadium Thursday morning.

It marked the first time the U.S. has won two medals in the men's hammer throw at the Pan American Games since 1975 when John Powell and Julian Morrison finished first and second in Mexico City.

The United States has garnered 14 medals entering Thursday night's competition, in which finals will be held in the women's javelin, women's shot put, men's 3,000 steeplechase and men's 10,000.

"Technically, I wasn't all there but this was one of my better meets of year," said Parker, who had a mark of 244 feet 6 inches. "I wasn't 100 percent physically."

McEwen, who won the 2001 and 2002 USA Indoor 35-pound weight throw, recorded a throw of 234-6. He finished second behind Parker at the 2003 USA Outdoor Championships.

"I never recovered from the flight here, but I have enjoyed the experience and love the country here," added Parker, a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. "I am glad I got to represent the United States."

Meanwhile, Kenny Brokenburr (Raleigh, N.C.) posted the fastest qualifying time of the four preliminary rounds contested in the men's 200. Running in lane one, Brokenburr won heat two in 20.66 seconds. Erik Wilson (Opa-Locka, Fla.) also advanced into Wednesday night's semifinal round of the 200 by finishing second in heat two in 21.10.

"Lane one makes you run that curve, so I tried to be consistent from the start," said Brokenburr, who was fourth in the 2003 USA Outdoor Championships. "I was just trying to run my race. My coach tells me that if I do that, I am a hard man to beat."

For Thursday morning session results, visit the Pan Am Games link at www.usatf.org