Anthony Foster, Gleaner Writer

The nation's top junior athletes will be vying for spots on Jamaica's teams to the 6th IAAF World Youth and Pan Am Junior championships next month, at the national trials which begins at 11 a.m. today at G.C. Foster College in Angels, Spanish Town.

The World Youth Championships (Under-18 athletes) will be held in Sudtirol, Italy, from July 8-12, while the Pan Am Juniors (Under-20 athletes) is scheduled for Trinidad and Tobago, between July 31 and August 2.

Exciting trial

Alfred Francis, chairman of the organising committee, said they're anticipating an exciting trial.

"We are looking forward to an exciting event ... our young athletes are looking enthusiastically to enhance Jamaica's track and field reputation at the World Youth and Pan Am Junior cham-pionships," Francis told The Gleaner yesterday.

World Youth and Junior 100m champion, Dexter Lee; Nickel Ashmeade, who won silver (100m) and bronze (200m) at the last World Youth and 200m silver at last year's World Junior; and World Youth 200m champion Ramone McKenzie are the top boys vying for places on the Pan Am team.

On the female side, seasoned campaigners Carrie Russell, the 2006 World Junior 100m bronze medallist; Jura Levy, a finalist in the 200m at last year's World Juniors; and Gayon Evans, a World Juniors sprint relay silver medallist, are the hot main sprint competitors.

Danielle Jefferey, who is now attending Florida State University, is also listed for the 100m while St Andrew High's Kaydian Jones is one to watch in the 200m.

Only six competitors are in the girls' Under-20 400m which, based on this year's performances, favour Wolmer's' Jody-Ann Muir and Edwin Allen's Amoy Blake.

In the competition for spots on the World Youth team, Vere's Deandre Whitehorne and Shericka Moulton are the hot favourites for the 100m, while Sandrae Farquharson of Manchester High, Petra Fanty of Holmwood and Vere's Celia Walters add to the competition in the 200m.

The 400m is expected to be hot with Fanty, the Class Two cham-pion at Champs, the dangerous Farquharson who is returning from injury, Wolmer's' Danielle Dowie, the determined Ristananna Tracey of Edwin Allen, and Chantel Adams of Manchester High.

Another big battle can be expected in the 400m hurdles between Tracey and Dowie, the lone competitors.

Calabar's Travis Drummond heads the field for the boys sprints, while St George's College's Jermaine Fyffe and Nolan Williams of May Day should be among the top two in the 400m.