By Jacob Most
July 6, 2014 –
EUGENE, Ore. – Kentucky freshman Nick Anderson won the United States Junior 110-Meter Hurdles Championship, and earned a spot on the American team that will compete at the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Junior Championships on Sunday at Oregon’s Hayward Field.
Anderson was first across the line in 13.37 seconds (+1.7 wind), a personal best running over 39-inch hurdles (which are three inches shorter than those used in NCAA and senior-level competition). His time was the seventh fastest by a under-20 competitor in the world this year, and the fastest among American juniors.
He will represent the U.S. team that will compete on a home track at the World Junior Championships for the first time in history. The 2014 IAAF World Junior Championships will be held July 22-27 back at Hayward Field.
Anderson concluded his collegiate season strong with a fourth place finish at the Southeastern Conference Championships. He also qualified for the NCAA East Preliminary Round.
A happy Nick Anderson from @KentuckyTrack after winning the men’s 110H at #usajrs. #raiseyourflag pic.twitter.com/Gj9N9GWYqg
— USATF (@usatf) July 6, 2014
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Two other Wildcats competed at the U.S. Junior Championships this weekend.
Justin Kretchmer also earned a medal, as he finished in a tie for Silver with a top high jump clearance at 6-8 ¾/2.05m. Kretchmer was not selected for the U.S. World Juniors team because his season-best clearance (7-0.25/2.14m) is three-quarters of an inch short of the qualifying standard.
Madison Jacobs placed sixth in the discus with a best throw of 156-11/47.82m, which came on her third attempt.
Anderson will be one of five Wildcats to represent their nation in international compettion this summer.
Four Wildcats qualified to compete at the North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletic Association (NACAC) Under-23 Championships, which will be held in British Columbia, Canada in August by virtue of their performances at Senior National Championships last weekend.
Kendra Harrison (100m hurdles), Sha’Keela Saunders (long jump) and Matt Hillenbrand will compete for the U.S. at the NACAC U-23 Championships, while Raymond Dykstra (javelin) will compete for Canada on home soil.
