KINGSTON, Jamaica – Eight Jamaicans have qualified for the finals in this afternoon’s second session of the 19th Pan American Under-20 track and field championships at Estadio Chan Chan in Trujillo, Peru.

A ninth Jamaican, Akeem Colley also qualified for the finals of the men’s 1500m that will be run tomorrow and will return to run the semi-finals of the 800m.

Jamaicans qualified in the sprint hurdles and 400m for both genders as well as the female 100m. Aneka Brissett is the only 100m sprinter who will line up later today after she placed second in her semi-final heat this morning, running 11.82 seconds. Kaliesha Cameron failed to advance after she placed fourth in the other semi-final in 12.06 seconds.

Both male sprinters Christopher Grant and Ashanie Smith failed to advance.

Damion Thomas ran the fastest time in the semi-finals of the 110m hurdles, winning his semi-finals in 13.51seconds and Phillip Lemonius was third in his heat in 13.97 seconds and also qualified for the final.

Both Janeek Brown, who ran 13.83 seconds for second place in her semi-final, and Amoi Brown who was third in her semi-final in 13.63 seconds also qualified for their final of the 100m hurdles.

Colley placed fifth in his semi-finals of the 1500m in 3 minutes 56.69 seconds but Shemar Salmon failed to advance after running 4 minutes 23.05 seconds.

Kimorlie Muschette advanced in the women’s 400m after running 55.49 seconds, while Chantz Sawyers — 46.9 seconds and Anthony Carpenter — 47.28 seconds, both advanced to the men’s 400m event.

Roje Stona, the leading discus thrower in the men’s Under-20 age group in the world with a season and personal best 66.41m, and Kevin Nedrick will take part in the final set for this afternoon.

Tissanna Hickling and Susan Francis will contest the female long jump event and Carey McLeod and Damion Creary will be in the men’s event.

Paul Reid