One year ago, Kaylin Whitney and Kendal Williams were victorious at the 2014 Adidas Dream 100 in New York City. Both rounded out the year with World Junior golds as individuals and on the 4x100m relay. Since then, Whitney has turned pro with Nike, Williams has completed his freshman year at FSU where he earned outdoor All-American honors. Both were on display in Toronto at the Pan American Games and closed the event with another set of relay golds.
For Williams, the gold medal marked the first in senior level competition. The Seminole sprinter teamed up with BeeJay Lee of USC, Wallace Spearmon, and Remontay McClain. Williams, the third leg in the quartet, received the baton from Spearmon who trailed Canada's Andre DeGrasse, the NCAA 100 and 200m champion, and Pan Am 100 and 200m champion. Williams closed ground on the hometown Canadians, and handed to McClain just behind our neighbors from the north. It appeared the United States received 2nd with their time of 38.27, but after a review Canada was DQ'ed for a lane violation, and the boys in red, white, and blue were awarded the gold medal.
Whitney capped off a very impressive games with her second gold medal. The 17 year old Nike professional won gold in the 200m in Toronto, clocking a time of 22.65 just one day earlier. North Miami Class of 2010 alum Barbara Pierre, who also was third in the 100m (11.01) lead off the quartet that also consisted of Morolake Akinosun and Lekeisha Lawson. Pierre made it a competitive race with the Jamaican's early on with the race playing close until the very end. Whitney ran stride for stride with Simone Facey who was third in the 100m, until closing strong in the final meters to give Team USA a Pan American Game record in the 4x100m relay with a time of 42.58.
University of Miami quarter-miler Shakima Wimbley picked up her second medal of the meet as well. After a silver in the 400m dash the night before and finishing second behind teammate Kendall Baisden, Wimbley, Baisden, 400mH gold medalist Shamier Little, and 200m runner-up Kyra Jefferson teamed up for the 4x400m relay team. Wimbley, the third leg, held off the Jamaicans, and gave the baton to Baisden who brought home the gold medal for Team USA in 3:25.68.
Kerron Clement, who was a Gator standout, and still trains in Gainesville with Coach Mike Holloway, missed out on the medal stand in the 400mH, but took home hardware as a member of the 4x400m relay team. Clement had ground to make up after taking the stick in fourth place. With a strong kick to end the race, he moved the squad into third place and a bronze medal. However, after a DQ was issued to runner-up Cuba, the U.S. were now the silver medalists with their time of 3:00.21 Former FSU quarter-miler James Harris was the second leg for Team USA. Another former Florida Gator alum, Cory McGee, was fourth in the 1500m run in 4:11.12.
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One year ago, Kaylin Whitney and Kendal Williams were victorious at the 2014 Adidas Dream 100 in New York City. Both rounded out the year with World Junior golds as individuals and on the 4x100m relay. Since then, Whitney has turned pro with Nike, Williams has completed his freshman year at FSU where he earned outdoor All-American honors. Both were on display in Toronto at the Pan American Games and closed the event with another set of relay golds.
For Williams, the gold medal marked the first in senior level competition. The Seminole sprinter teamed up with BeeJay Lee of USC, Wallace Spearmon, and Remontay McClain. Williams, the third leg in the quartet, received the baton from Spearmon who trailed Canada's Andre DeGrasse, the NCAA 100 and 200m champion, and Pan Am 100 and 200m champion. Williams closed ground on the hometown Canadians, and handed to McClain just behind our neighbors from the north. It appeared the United States received 2nd with their time of 38.27, but after a review Canada was DQ'ed for a lane violation, and the boys in red, white, and blue were awarded the gold medal.
