Silver medal for Jaevin Reed, bronze for Tyra Gittens at Pan American Juniors

Trujillo, Peru – Texas A&M freshman Jaevin Reed claimed a silver medal in the final of the 400 meters during first day of action at the Pan American Junior Championships. Reed bettered the previous meet record with a time of 51.71 seconds as runner-up.
 
Winning the race in 51.46 was Cuba's Roxana Gomez Calderon, who bettered the meet record of 51.72 set in 2007 by Jamaica's Bobby-Gaye Wilkins. Finishing behind Reed were Canada's Kyra Constantine (52.63) and American teammate Takyera Roberson (52.89).
 
During the 400m semifinal, held in the morning session, Gomez Calderon led the field with a time of 52.55 to win the second heat. Reed won the first heat in 52.76, which was the second best time in the qualifying round.
 
Reed, who will also be part of the United States 4x400 relay on Sunday, equaled her third fastest time of the season and fourth sub 52-second performance over her past three meets. Reed established a then career best of 51.67 during the NCAA semifinal and improved her PR to 51.52 as runner-up in the USATF Junior final after posting a 51.71 in the semifinal.
 
Incoming Texas A&M freshman Tyra Gittens, a Tennessee prep who is competing for Trinidad & Tobago, earned a bronze medal in the long jump with a mark of 20-5 (6.22). Tara Davis of the U.S. won the event with a windy leap of 21-5 ¼ (6.51w) with Jamaica's Tissanna Hickling runner-up at 20-10 ½ (6.36).
 
Gabriel Oladipo, another incoming Aggie freshman, finished sixth in the discus with a toss of 189-8 (57.81).
 
Saturday's competition at the Pan American Junior Championships is scheduled to include a pair of Aggie freshmen with Serena Brown competing in the discus for the Bahamas and William Petersson representing the United States in the javelin. In addition, Gittens starts the first day of the heptathlon.
 
2017 Pan American Junior Championships – Schedule for Texas A&M Athletes
 
Saturday, July 22
     8:00 a.m.         W Discus       FINAL                      Serena Brown
     8:55 a.m.           W Hept       100H                       Tyra Gittens
     9:35 a.m.           W Hept       High Jump             Tyra Gittens
  10:20 a.m.        M Javelin       FINAL                      William Petersson
  11:05 a.m.           W Hept       Shot Put                 Tyra Gittens
  12:55 p.m.           W Hept       200m                      Tyra Gittens
 
Sunday, July 23
  10:00 a.m.         W 4x400       Semi                        Jaevin Reed
  10:00 a.m.           W Hept       Long Jump             Tyra Gittens
  11:30 a.m.           W Hept       Javelin                    Tyra Gittens
  12:45 p.m.           W Hept       800m                      Tyra Gittens
    1:00 p.m.         W 4x400       FINAL                      Jaevin Reed