MIRAMAR, Florida — Jamaica’s Geneive Russell seems well set to battle for the top spot in the heptathlon here at the Pan-American Junior Track and Field Championships at the Ansin Sports Complex in Miramar, Florida after a good first day yesterday.

Russell, who has a personal best of 5,361 points, was in second place after four events yesterday with 3,359 points, behind Brazil’s Tamara Souza on 3,521, with American Deanna Latham next on 3,229 points.

Russell has so far achieved three season bests in the 100m hurdles, high jump and shot put, and she says she feels good and is looking forward to her strong events on today’s final day of the event.

“I am good,” she told reporters yesterday. “I am really looking forward to the second half, which has two of my strong events, the long jump and 800m and I will also try to improve on my javelin, as well, as I want this gold medal.”

The Holmwood Technical athlete got off to a good start by winning the hurdles in 14.12 seconds, beating her season best 14.58 seconds and scoring 961 points ahead of Americans Latham with 14.14 seconds and Allioson Reaser with 14.34 seconds.

She then cleared 1.70m in the high jump for 855 points to end the first half of the day with 1,816 points, four more than Brazil’s Souza, with Canada’s Emma Siuciak on 1,738 points.

In the afternoon she then threw the shot put 10.86m for 586 points after throwing just 9.30m earlier this season, then won the 200m in 24.25 seconds for 957 points.

Today the long jump and javelin will be contested in the morning session with the 800m set for later in the afternoon.