KINGSTON, Jamaica — Despite participating in three finals, Jamaica failed to earn a medal as track and field started at the Junior Pan-American Games in Asuncion, Paraguay on Monday.

The Mixed Relay team of Omary Robinson, Oneika Brissett, Kevin Bliss and Abrina Wright just missed a medal, finishing fourth, while Jamaicans finished down the field in the women’s long jump and discus throw events.

The Mixed Relay team ran 3:23.07 seconds as Brazil won with 3:19.98 seconds, Cuba took the silver with 3:21.01 seconds and Guyana won the bronze with 3:22.30 seconds.

Rohanna Sudlow was fifth in the women’s long jump with 6.15m (0.0m/s) and Machaeda Linton was eighth with 5.79m (0.1m/s).

Damali Williams placed seventh in the women’s discus throw with 48.58m, just ahead of Rochele Salmon who had a best of 47.76m.

Meanwhile, a number of athletes advanced to their respective finals after semi-finals were contested in the men’s and women’s 100m and men’s 400m hurdles.

Jehlani Gordon ran 10.21 seconds (0.5m/s), for second in his men’s 100m semi-final race and booked his place in Tuesday’s final.

His teammate Nkrumie Bouwahjgie was however disqualified for a false start. Serena Cole and Alana Reid both advanced to the women’s 100m final.

Cole was third in her heat in 11.44 seconds (0.2m/s) while Reid ran 11:45 seconds (-0.1m/s) to qualify on time.

Tyreece Hyman ran 49.03 seconds for second in his men’s 400m hurdles semi-final and Romario Stewart clocked 50.84 seconds in his race, both advanced to Wednesday’s final.

– Paul A Reid