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

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.