John Moore Advances to 800-Meters Final at Pan American Junior Athletics Championships

Sao Paulo, Brazil – University at Albany’s John Moore advanced to the 800-meter run championship race at the 2007 Pan American Junior Athletics Championships on Friday, July 6. Moore finished second in his semifinal heat with a time of 1:50.48.

Moore, a 19-year-old who recently completed his freshman year, will compete in Saturday’s final at 4:10 p.m. ET. Andrew Heaney, who recently established the Ontario 800m record at Toronto’s Cardinal Newman High School, was first in the second semifinal in 1:50.10. Moore’s performance was his second-best effort of the season. He previously ran 1:50.21 at USA Junior Nationals.

“I was really nervous and tight at the line,” said Moore, who led his semifinal through 600 meters. “I ran my best race, but after I got passed with 50 meters to go I knew not to try and get him because I had what I needed to qualify. This is my first international competition, so it is pretty hard to describe. I thought I loved running, but this experience has increased my motivation (for the future).”

Jamal James, a Trinidad & Tobago native, posted the best time in qualifying when he won the first semifinal in 1:49.75. James, who will be a sophomore at Louisiana State University in the fall, is the reigning Southeastern Conference (SEC) champion in the indoor and outdoor 800-meter run.

Moore finished second at the USA Juniors to qualify for the Pan American Championships as the first alternate. He was named to the USA squad after junior national champion Cory Primm was unable to attend. Moore captured the 2006 New York State Division II Boys’ state title and was third in the 800-meters at both the 2007 America East Conference indoor and outdoor championships.

The USA team consists of 70 athletes – 35 men and 35 women. The roster for the U.S. was based on performances at USA Junior Nationals in June, a competition for athletes ranging from 14 to 19 years-old.

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Pan American Junior Championships Men’s 800-Meter Run

(Semifinal #1)

1. Jamaal James (Trinidad & Tobago), 1:49.75*, 2. Darren Mazzei (Canada), 1:50.09*, 3. Jose Rogerio Figueira (Brazil), 1:50.37*, 4. Andre Thomas (Jamaica)*, 1:50.45, 5. Luciano Almirin (Argentina), 1:53.21, 6. Confesor De La Rose (Domincan Republic), 1:53.80, 8. Joan Merdina Ortiz (Colombia), 1:55.04.

(Semifinal #2)

1. Andrew Heaney (Canada), 1:50.10*, 2. John Moore (USA), 1:50.48*, 3. Lutimar Abreu Paes (Brazil), 1:50.77*, 4. Hesiber Landaeta Aponte (Venezuela), 1:51.82*, 5. Dwayne Ferguson (Bahamas), 1:53.39, 6. Daniel Palma (Chile), 1:53.62, 7. Diego Rincon (Colombia), 1:54.09, 8. Rodrigo Navarro (Peru), 1:56.61.