Florida alumni came away with three gold medals on day three of the USA Junior Championships. The women's 200m only had two rounds and former Lake Highland Prep standout and USC freshman Deanna Hill took advantage making her first national team winning in 23.03. Teammate Ky Westbrook was right behind her in 23.23 to complete the Trojan's 1-2 punch. See what they both had to say after the race.
WATCH: Deanna Hill/Ky Westbrook Post-Race Interview
The Trojans were even more formidable on the afternoon with quarter-miler Kendall Ellis. Ellis, a four-time state champion in high school, capped off a great freshman year with a personal best time of 52.32 to win by a good margin over runner-up Zola Golden (53.12) and the rest of the field. She says she felt good coming in and the goal was to just run her own race and just do Kendall.
WATCH: Kendall Ellis Post-Race Interview
After watching the junior women's 400m race Cordell Lamb, another South Florida native, was eager to punch his ticket. Lamb, a former standout at Miami Northwestern and current Clemson freshman went down to the wire with My'lik Kerley of Stephen F. Austin, but came away with the win by three one-hundredths of a second 46.44 to 46.47.The time was a new personal best for Lamb who was sixth at the ACC Championships.
Justin Gatlin and Isaiah Young both under 20s in the first round of the 200m. Florida native and Gator Dedric Dukes third in 20.15. Atlantic grad and Adidas sprinter Curtis Mitchell who trains with Pure Athletics one step closer to defending his USA crown with a time of 20.36.
WATCH: Justin Gatlin Post-Race Interview
Great run by Miami Central alum Bershawn "Batman" Jackson who came from behind to win 400mh. 5th time winning the USA Championships and will look for his 4th world championship in Beiijing. Former Gator Kerron Clement also making the team.
WATCH: Bershawn Jackson Post-Race Interview
Kaylin Whitney 22.75 advances to semifinal in 200m. Hoping to make Team USA like she did last year at junior level! Nike teammate Candyce McGrone, 2nd fastest time, Charonda Williams Tiffany Townsend, and Shalonda Solomon who train with Pure Athletics in Clermont also advance as does former UCF Knight/Southern Cal sprinter Alexis Faulknor and Florida Gator Kyra Jefferson. Current UCF Knight J'Nea Bellamy does not advance.
WATCH: Kaylin Whitney Post-Race Interview
Other Florida highlights:
- University of Miami's Shakima Wimbley makes final of women's 400m but finishes 8th in 52.96.
- UF freshman Darrielle McQueen was 5th in the LJ yesterday, 4th in the TJ today 12.72m (41-8¾ ). One and a half inches further would have given her second place and a spot on Team USA.
- Jamal Whittaker (Apopka/IowaCentral) 11th in the junior discus (49.31m (161-9) after finishing 5th in the junior shot put Friday.