MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica — Jevaughn Minzie and Jazeel Murphy in the men’s 100m and Asain Hall in the women’s 400m all advanced to this evening’s finals of their events on the first day of the 17th Pan-American Junior athletics championships being held at the Alfanso Galvis Duque stadium in Medellin, Colombia.

Minzie won his semi-final heat in the morning’s session, in 10.39 seconds after the runners were called back to their blocks three times.

Murphy was third in his heat in10.46 seconds after a horrible start, finishing behind Barbadian Levi Cadogan (10.41) seconds and American Treyvon Bromell (10.45) seconds.

Hall was third in her semi-final heat in 53.67 seconds behind American Kendall Baisden and Canadian Sage Watson.

Meanwhile neither Jamaican women sprinters advanced past the first round of the 100m this morning, both finishing last in their heat; Janell Kelly ran 12.47 seconds while Shanice McPherson ran 12.48 seconds.

Jamaica is being represented by a 17-member team to the championships, being held later than usual in the year, after being twice rescheduled.