TAMPERE, FINLAND – Texas A&M’s Julia Madubuike earned a gold medal as a member of the United States 4×400 relay on the final day of the World U20 Championships. Madubuike ran the third leg of the relay as the United States claimed victory in 3 minutes, 28.74 seconds.
Jamaica challenged the U.S. during the third leg and Madubuike maintained a slight edge when passing the baton to Taylor Manson. While Manson cruised to complete the victory, Australia passed Jamaica in the homestretch for silver with a 3:31.36 clocking. Jamaica finished third in 3:31.90 to just hold off Canada (3:31.93) for the final medal position.
This marks the ninth consecutive victory for the United States in the 4×400 relay at the World junior meet while Australia achieved its first ever silver medal performance in the event.
The time by the American squad was the third fastest winning effort in the 32-year history of the biennial meet. They trailed only the championship meet record of 3:27.60 set by the United States in 2004 and a 3:28.39 by East Germany in 1988.
In discus qualifying on Saturday, Aggie Gabe Oladipo placed 14th overall with the top 12 advancing to Sunday’s final. Oladipo produced a mark of 185-5 (56.53), which left him five inches from the final qualifying mark of 186-0 (56.71).
Earlier in the week Sammy Watson advanced to the semifinal round of the 800m with a 2:06.34 for third place in her first round heat. In the semifinals a 2:03.95 run from Watson placed her fourth in the first of three heats.
The other American entrant, Caitlyn Collier, placed fourth in the third semifinal heat with the same time as Watson. They finished 10th and 11th overall with eight advancing to the final. The last time qualifier was 2:03.44.
Story courtesy of Texas A&M Athletics