The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamas returned from the XIX Pan American Under-20 Track and Field Championships in Trujillo, Peru, with just one medal over the weekend.

Martin Holland, competing in the men’s long jump, soared 7.66 metres or 25-feet, 1 3/4-inches on his sixth and final attempt for a bronze medal on day two of the three-day competition on Saturday. He had a series of jumps that included 7.05m (23-1 3/4), 7.65m (25-1 1/4), foul, 7.65m (25-1 3/4) and 7.56m (24-9 3/4).

Ja’Mari Ward of the US won the gold with 7.77m (25-6) on his second attempt. Gabriel M dos San of Brazil got the silver with 7.73m (25-4 1/2) on his final attempt.

Martin, who hails from Grand Bahama, also participated in the 200m where he was sixth in his heat in the preliminaries in 22.34 for 18th place overall as he failed to advance.

Two Bahamians came close to getting on the podium as well in the men’s high jump, but Kyle Alcine (2.21m or 7-3) and Jyles Etienne (2.16m or 7-1) had to settle for fourth and fifth place respectively.

Roberto Vilches of Mexico won the gold medal with 2.21m (7-3), Jermaine Francis of St Kitts & Nevis won the silver with 2.19m (7-2 ¼) and Justice Summerset of the USA got the bronze with 2.19m (7-2 1/4) as well.

And Tamar Greene finished fifth in the men’s triple jump with his best of 15.35m (50-4 1/2) on his sixth and final attempt. His series of jumps included 15.26m (50-0 3/4), 15.26m (50-0 3/4), 15.09m (49-6 1/4), 14.98m (49-1 3/4) and 15.01m (49-3).

In other events, Brianne Bethel advanced out of the preliminaries of the women’s 100 metres with a third place in her heat in 11.94 seconds for the seventh fastest time.However, she finished eighth in the final in 12.08. Bethel came back for the preliminaries of the 200m, but she didn’t finish her heat.

Laquell Harris had a best toss of 11.55m (37-10 3/4) for eighth place in the women’s shot put final. Her best toss came on her fifth attempt. Her series of throws were 9.70m (31-10), 9.97m (32-8 1/2), 11.41m (37-5 1/4), foul, 11.55m (37-10 3/4) and another foul.

American Alyssa Wilson secured the gold with 17.70m (58-1) on her third attempt, while Maria Orozco of Mexico got the silver with 16.57m (54-4 1/2) and Samantha Noening of the US got the bronze with 15.66m (51-4 1/2).

Harris also doubled up in the discus with a 12th place finish with 43.14m (141-6) on her third attempt. She did 39.34m (129-1) on her first and fouled her second attempt.

Laulauga Collin of the US won the gold with 59.29m (194-6) on her sixth and final attempt. Alma Pollorena of Mexico won the silver with 53.68m (176-1) on her fourth attempt. Gabrielle Rains of Canada was the bronze medallist with 53.6m (174-1) on her sixth attempt.

Daejha Moss was ninth in the women’s long jump with a leap of 5.54m (18-2 1/4) on her third attempt. She also had leaps of 5.21m (17-1 1/4) on her first attempt and 5.43m (17-9 3/4) on her second attempt.

Tara Davis of the US won the gold with 6.51m (21-4 1/4). Tissanna Hickling of Jamaica took the silver with 6.36m (20-10 1/2) and Tyra Gittens of Trinidad & Tobago was the bronze medallist with 6.22m (20-5).

Moss also contested the high jump where she was 12th in her specialty with 1.65m (5-5). Maria Murillo of Colombia won the gold with 1.85m (6-0 3/4). Jelena Bowe of the US was the silver medallist with 1.82m (5-11 1/2) and Mikell Oatis of Canada got the bronze with 1.82m (5-11 1/2).