Knight, Collins give 1-2 punch; Jenkins hurdles to gold as Hayes grabs bronze

Marrakech, Morocco - Bianca Knight and Ebony Collins gave the U.S., a 1-2 punch grabbing the first two medals for Team USA while Cordera Jenkins hurdled a golden effort and Kamorean Hayes tossed a bronze surprise at the IAAF World Youth Championships in Marrakech, Morocco.

Knight of Ridgeland, Miss., ran 11.38 to win the first gold medal for Team USA in the girls' 100m final. "America has the #1 and #2 athletes (in the girls 100m) - it feels really good," said Knight. "I was not worried about the two false starts. I just tuned it and the crowd out," Knight continued.

Collins of Los Angeles, Calif., didn't even expect to finish in the top three of the 100m finals after competing 30 minutes earlier in the first round of the girls 400m hurdles. Collins finished in 11.44 seconds to win silver completing the 1-2 punch for Team USA. "I was tired (after the 400m hurdles), and was not really expecting to place in the top three because I just finished competing in the 400m hurdles," said Collins. "It's an accomplishment knowing that America finished in the top two spots knowing that this is all we had in the event." Earlier in the evening, Collins ran 59.82 to advance in the first round of the girls' 400m hurdles.

With pressure on his shoulders, Cordera Jenkins of Dickinson, Texas hurdled 13.35 seconds to win gold in the 110m hurdles final. "I felt a lot of pressure from the competition and the crowd," said Jenkins. "I knew this was not going to be a walk in the park. I'm glad that I won gold and it's (pressure) finally over."

Kamorean Hayes grabbed another medal - this time a bronze medal for Team USA in the girls' discus throw final. A Charlotte, N.C., native, Hayes improved her personal best throw from yesterday's competition with a toss of 49.64 meters/162 feet, 10 inches to secure the fourth medal of Team USA. Paige Newby of Colorado City, Texas also bettered her personal best to finish fourth with a toss of 47.25m/155-0.

Walter Henning of Long Island, NY qualified for the finals on his first throw in the boys' hammer throw (5kg) competition. The 17-year-old Henning tossed 68.57m/224-11 with very little effort. "I was very happy that I went very far with very little effort. I was only going 40% and trying to conserve (energy) for tomorrow's final," said Henning. "I came in today not to strut my stuff, but to save it for tomorrow. I'm going in there (finals) with the mindset to get a gold medal." Henning continued.

In the semi final round of the boys' 400m, Zach Chandy of Laguna Beach, Calif., ran 47.40 while Bryshon Nellum of Los Angeles, Calif., finished in 47.69 to advance to the final round. Brandi Cross of Missouri City, Texas cruised 53.43 to clock the third fastest time and qualify for the girls' 400m finals. "I did what I had to do in order to get to the finals," said Cross. "I was not running to hard and not running to slow, just 'nice and smooth' is what I call it." Nawal El Jack of Sudan clocked a championship record time of 51.83 to win the second heat. "I'm not worried about the girl (El Jack) who broke the record."

Devin Mays of Stockton, Calif., ran 10.74 seconds to finish 8^th in the boys' 100m finals. Michael Morrison of Chesapeake, Va., finished in 10^th out of 32 competitors in the boys octathlon with a score of 5,836.

David Klech of San Ramon, Calif., leaped 7.06m/23-2 to advance in the qualifying round of the boys' long jump. In the qualifying round of the boys' high jump Dante' Nall of Douglasville, Ga.,cleared 2.04m/6-8.25 to advance.

Timothy Grier of Powder Springs, Ga., leaped 6.74m/22-1.5 in the qualifying round of the boys' long jump. Phil Feinberg of Tempe, Ariz., cleared 2.00m/6-6.75 in the qualifying round of the boys' high jump. Both did not advance to the next round.

For complete Team USA roster and staff listings, and more information on the 2005 World Youth Track & Field Championships, including results, complete coverage and photos of this year's event, please visit the USATF website at www.usatf.org.

TEAM USA MEDALISTS

GOLD: Bianca Knight (100m); Cordera Jenkins (110m hurdles)

SILVER: Ebony Collins (100m)

BRONZE: Kamorean Hayes (discus throw)

MEDAL COUNT (Top 3 nations): #1, USA 4; #2, South Africa 3; #3, Great Britain 3.