This just might be the best showing for The Bahamas at the International Association of Athletic Federations (IAAF) World Junior Championships, as four junior athletes survived to the final of their respective events today.
Entering the competition with the best mark, so far, on the year by any junior athlete in the world were Anthonique Strachan, Shaunae Miller and Ryan Ingraham. Sprinter Teray Smith added his name to the list by qualifying for the final of the boys 200 meters (m). The trio, who are now referred to as the junior world leaders, had no difficulty advancing through the rounds at the championships taking place in Barcelona, Spain.
Strachan has already won the gold, in the 100m, and will look to pull off the double today in front of a capacity crowd gathered in the Olympic Stadium Lluis Companys de Montjuic. She will head into the final of the 200m with the third fastest time, but will settle into the blocks out of lane six. The leading time, at this level, was turned in by teammate Miller who opted out of the half lap and lined up in the 400m, where she is the defending champion.
The title was won two years ago by Miller who moved a step closer to that goal by cruising into the final with a 52.75 seconds performance. American Ashley Spencer, has the best time on the year. She won her heat in 52.24. Bahamian Rashan Brown was in the same heat and placed third in 52.88. The final of the 400m is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.
Running in the first semifinal heat of the girls 200m was Carmiesha Cox. She stopped the clock at 24.08 seconds but did not advance. Smith's time of 21.06 seconds, in the semifinal, running out of heat one, placed him in lane one in the final. He will clash with Delano Williams from Turks and Caicos, who has one of the fastest times heading into the event.
In the opening round of the 200m, Blake Bartlett was up first for The Bahamas. He crossed the finish line in 21.41 seconds and was fourth in heat two. He did not advance to the semifinal.
Coming in third in the 400m hurdles was Devinn Cartwright with a qualifying time of 1:00.72. She will be in heat three, lane nine. Teammate Pedyra Seymour did not advance to the next round after placing sixth in heat four, in a time of 1:01.09.
It's a busy day for Cartwright who will also line up in the 100m hurdles with Devynne Charlton. The sprint hurdles event was held earlier this morning and the 400m hurdles will go in the evening session. Charlton is in heat two, and Cartwright is in the fourth heat.
The final of the boys' high jump event will take place today at 12:30 p.m. Eastern standard time. Ingraham, who is the favorite, has the best mark on the season.
The qualification rounds for the triple jump, which will feature Latario Collie-Minns and Lathone Collie-Minns is set for 12 noon, Eastern standard time. Latario is in Group A and Lathone is jumping out of Group B.

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