Briana Williams captures Pan Am U20 100m gold

World Under-20 champion Briana Williams secured gold at the Pan American Under-20 Track and Field Championships in San Jose, Costa Rica after landing the women’s 100 metres on Friday night in a time of 11.38 seconds. The other Jamaican who was listed for the final, Kemba Neson, did not start.       

Jamaica had to settle for silver and bronze in the men’s equivalent where Oblique Seville was second in 10.21 seconds and Michael Stephens third in 10.34. The race was won by American Matthew Boling in 10.11 seconds.

Earlier on Friday, Ackera Nugent won Jamaica's first medal after taking silver in the women's 100 metre hurdles. Nugent crossed the line in 13.37 seconds behind winner Jasmine Jones of the United States who clocked 13.20 seconds. Another Jamaican, Crystal Morisson just missed out on a medal, clocking 13.44 seconds to finish fourth.

Akeem Cargill then doubled the country's medal tally when he took bronze in the men's equivalent in 13.56 seconds, behind the American pair of Eric Edwards Jr and Tai Brown 13.11 and 13.36 respectively.

The country then picked up its third medal in the men's 400 metres as Bovell McPherson got bronze in that event after clocking 45.97. Compatriot Anthony Cox found himself off of the medal podium after finishing fourth in 46.12 seconds with gold going to American Justin Robinson in 45.04 seconds.

However, the nation missed out on a medal in the women's 400 metres as Shaqueena Foote's 53.92 was only good enough for 5th with compatriot Annakay Allen finishing last in 55.74.

Tyrice Taylor clocked 1 minute, 51.99 seconds to win semi-final 2 of the men’s 800 metres while compatriot Tyrise Reid did 1:52.29 for third in his semi-final, as both advanced to the final.