John Moore Wins 800-Meters' Bronze Medal at 14th Pan American Junior Championships

Sao Paulo, Brazil – University at Albany’s John Moore won the bronze medal in the 800-meter run at the 14th Pan American Junior Athletics Championships on Saturday, July 7. Moore ran a season-best 1:49.17 to finish third in the championship race, more than one second lower than his previous top effort at USA Junior Nationals.

"I am ecstatic,”,said Moore, who had to hold off Canada’s Darren Mazzei for the bronze after challenging for the lead at the top of the stretch. “I jumped for joy and gave a fist pump at the finish. It got really physical (between the runners) in the stretch, but I didn’t get flustered. I am grateful for the U.S. team’s support. I have come away from this with a lot of confidence.”

Andrew Heaney, the Ontario record holder from Toronto’s Cardinal Newman High School, was first across the finish line in 1:48.52, while Jamal James, who will be a sophomore at Louisiana State University this fall, placed second in 1:48.87. James, a native of Trinidad & Tobago and the reigning Southeastern Conference (SEC) champion, recorded the best qualifying time in Friday’s semifinal round.

Moore, a 19-year-old who just completed his freshman year at UAlbany, finished second in his semifinal heat the previous day with a time of 1:50.48 to advance to the 800m final. He took second at 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 last month’s USA Junior Nationals, a competition for athletes ranging from 14 to 19 years-old.

Pan American Junior Championships Men’s 800-Meter Run Final

1. Andrew Heaney (Canada), 1:48.52, 2. Jamaal James (Trinidad & Tobago), 1:48.87, 3. John Moore (USA), 1:49.17, 4. Darren Mazzei (Canada), 1:49.17, 5. Lutimar Abreu Paes (Brazil), 1:50.01, 6. Andre Thomas (Jamaica), 1:51.04, 7. Jose Rogerio Figueira (Brazil), 1:51.72, 8. Hesiber Landaeta Aponte (Venezuela), 1:52.57.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information