Regardless of how his event turns out, Kirk Lewis can say that he is one of the best 24 short hurdlers under 20 years of age, in the world.
The 19-year-old junior sensation became the first Bahamian to advance out of the opening rounds at the 15th International Association of Athletics Federations' (IAAF) World Junior Championships, currently ongoing at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore.
Lewis was just three one hundredths of a second off his personal best time, running 13.93 seconds for a third place finish in his heat. The top three in each heat and the next three fastest times advanced to the semi-finals, and based on time, Lewis is the final qualifier. There's no doubt that he will have to go much faster in the semis tonight if he has any intention of running in the final on Thursday. Lewis will run out of lane one in the third of three semi-final heats at 5:49 p.m. this evening, 8:49 p.m. local time.
The other Bahamian in the boys' 110 meters (m) hurdles, Xavier Coakley, wasn't so fortunate.
Coakley was right at his personal best time, running 14.01 seconds, but it was only good enough for fourth in his heat and 29th overall.
Great Britain's David Omoregie is the top qualifier for the semis, running 13.24 seconds. Wilhem Belocian, from Guadeloupe but running for France, is the second fastest qualifier for the semis. The four-time CARIFTA gold medalist ran 13.40 seconds. Jamaican Tyler Mason is the third fastest qualifier for the semis, running 13.46 seconds.
From the boys' 400m last night, both Henri Delauze and Janeko Cartwright moved on to the semi-finals. Delauze was third in his opening round heat in 47.07 seconds, and tied for 11th overall, and Cartwright moved on as one of the fastest non-automatic qualifiers as he was fourth in his heat and finished 13th overall, in 47.10 seconds. Both athletes were close to their personal best times. Delauze has a personal best time of 47.06 seconds, and Cartwright has a personal best time of 47.07 seconds. The top three in each heat and the next three fastest times advanced to the semi-finals.
The boys' 100m heats were also ran yesterday; neither Bahamian moved on to the semis.
Both Keanu Pennerman and Cliff Resias were fourth in their heats, in times of 10.57 and 10.60 seconds, respectively. Pennerman was 23rd overall, and Resias was 25th. They lost out on time as the top three from each heat and the next three fastest times qualified for the semis.
New world junior record holder Trayvon Bromell, from the United States of America (USA), is the top qualifier for the semis. He is the only junior to ever run under 10 seconds, recording a world junior record of 9.97 seconds at Hayward Field in Eugene in mid June. He ran 10.13 seconds yesterday. Bromell's teammate Kendal Williams is the second fastest qualifier for the semis with his opening round time of 10.23 seconds. Cejhae Greene, of Antigua and Barbuda, ran the third fastest time yesterday, a personal best of 10.27 seconds.
Kieanna Albury and Brianne Bethel competed in the opening rounds of the girls 100m last night, and Dannielle Gibson was set to see action in the girls long jump, but the results of those events were unavailable up to press time.
"We're very excited," said team Head Coach Jason Edwards from Eugene yesterday. "We just want the kids to put their best efforts forward. This is a high level meet, top in the world for juniors. The kids know that because we have been stressing to them the importance straight through, so they're focussed on going out there and giving it their best. The team is together and they understand what they need to do. Really, we just want them to compete to the best of their abilities. We're looking for personal best times. The ultimate goal would be to win medals, but we're not putting any pressure on these kids. We just want them to do their best."
Competition continues for The Bahamas' 24-member team today.
In the morning session, LaQuan Nairn will be the first jumper in Group 'A' in the qualifying rounds of the boys long jump. The automatic qualifying distance for the final is 7.70m (25' 3-1/4"), or at least 12 top performers advance. Shaquania Dorsett will run out of lane five in heat five of the girls 400m at 11:59 a.m., 2:29 p.m. local time. The first four in each heat and the next four fastest times will advance to the semis. Finally in the morning session, D'Mitry Charlton will run out of lane four in heat five of the boys 400m hurdles at 12:34 p.m. in Eugene, 3:34 p.m. here in The Bahamas.
The afternoon session will feature Lewis in the semis of the boys 110m hurdles, and the semis of the girls 100m, and boys 400m. The 100m finals are scheduled for later on tonight. Also, the final of the women's long jump is scheduled for tonight.

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