Posted: July 31, 2005

Athletics: Etobicoke's Justyn Warner breaks Canadian junior record in 100, wins silver at junior Pan Ams

WINDSOR, Ont.- Justyn Warner of Etobicoke, Ont., broke the Canadian junior record en route to a silver medal in the men's 100-metre dash and Carline Muir of Weston, Ont., also won silver in the 400 on Saturday at the Pan American junior track and field championships.

After two days, Canada has one gold, two silver and four bronze at the competition which has attracted a record 38 countries.

In the men's 100-metre dash, James Samuels of the U.S., took the gold in 10.20 which equalled a meet record. Warner was second in 10.26 which eclipsed the previous national junior mark of 10.30 set by Carlton Chambers in 1994. Ribeiro Rafael Da Silva of Brazil took third in 10.33.

"I had an amazing start and finish to the race," said Warner. "I knew James was there but I didn't think about it. When I run, I don't think about anything, I just go. I'm so excited, this is my first international medal."

The competition is being held at the new University of Windsor stadium which seats 5,000.

"The track here in Windsor is so fast," added Warner. "I can feel it in my spring. I had knee surgery a year ago, and I used that time to recover and to build up confidence for my comeback."

In the women's 400, Natasha Hastings of the U.S., took the gold in 52.15, Muir followed in a personal best 52.38 and Sonita Sutherland of Jamaica was third in 52.68.

"It was really good. I'm really happy about the result," said Muir. "I was trying to beat my personal best all year, so I feel wonderful and really happy. It's an amazing feeling. I wanted to come in first, but second is good."

One of the most anticipated events was the men's high jump. World junior champion Mike Mason of Nanoose Bay, B.C., placed fifth at 2.10 metres and Michael McCorquindale of Calgary was eighth. Dustin Jonas of the U.S., won at 2.21 metres

Other Canadian performances Saturday: for the women: Rachel Lavallee of Peterborough, Ont., and Chelsea Rodriguez of Fenwick, Ont., were fourth and 11th respectively in the 10 kilometre walk; Lydia Willemse of Sarnia, Ont., and Jennifer Vanos of Forest, Ont., were fourth and fifth in the 3,000 steeplechase; Kate Van Buskirk of Brampton, Ont., and Raeleen Hunter of Beaumont, Alta., were fifth and sixth in the 800; Kaitlyn Andrews of Georgetown, Ont., sixth in the shotput; and Carly Youlton of Chatham, Ont., and Sherri Bourgon of Kamsack, Sask., were 13th and 14th in the long jump.

For the men: Mark Steads of Paris, Ont., and Kevin Friesen of Nanaimo, B.C., were fifth and sixth in the 10,000; Brian Barnett of Edmonton and Brian Cummings of Ottawa were sixth and seventh in the 400.

Competition ends Sunday.