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BEIJING- Brian Barnett of Edmonton was the top qualifier in the men’s 200 semifinal Thursday at the world junior track and field championships while Andrew Dargie of Calgary finished eighth in the men’s 400-metre final.
In the men’s 200 semifinals, Barnett, the Canadian senior and junior champion this year, clocked the fastest time of the day at 20.96 to advance to Friday’s final. Dmytro Ostrovsky of the Ukraine was the next fastest qualifier at 21.00.
‘’It wasn’t my best race technically but it went very well,’’ said Barnett, 19, who clocked a personal best 20.70 at the senior nationals two weeks ago. ‘’I was pleased with how I stayed relaxed when the field started to close in on me. However in the final tomorrow, I need to be more relaxed right after I get out of the blocks.’’
In the men’s 400 final, Renny Quow of Trinidad and Tobago won the gold medal in 45.74 edging Justin Oliver of the U.S., second in 45.78 while Martyn Rooney of Britain was third in 45.87. Andrew Dargie of Calgary, who was assigned lane one in a random draw, was eight in 46.87.
‘’I had a disastrous race,’’ said Dargie, who had the sixth fastest time in the semis. ‘’When I found out I was assigned lane one at the team meeting, I let it get to me. When you’re in lane one you have to put in more energy and mentally you’re starting behind everybody else. It’s tough to make the world final and then blow it.’’
In the men’s decathlon Reid Gustavson of Vancouver placed 18th.
In the women’s 100-metre hurdles first round, Nikkita Holder of Pickering, Ont., and Jenni Hucul of Saskatoon both clocked personal bests at 13.97 and 14.08 respectively to advance to Friday’s semis.
Eliminated Thursday were Kimberley Hyacinthe of Lachenaie, Que., in the women’s 200 semifinals and Taylor Petrucha of Saskatoon in the men’s pole vault preliminaries.
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