Edwards takes home gold, completes Pan American Junior Championships

Rising sophomore Sarah Edwards claims 3,000-meter steeplechase title

July 23, 2017

Pan American Results | European Results

TRUJILLO, Peru – On the final day of the Pan American Junior Championships, Virginia Tech’s Sarah Edwards crossed the finish line in 10:10.68 to capture a gold medal for Team USA in the 3,000-meter steeplechase Sunday afternoon.

It marks the first time an American took first in the event since 2011, when Alexandra Leptich tallied a time of 10:43.76. Leptich went on to be a four-year letterwinner at the University of Michigan.

With Edwards’ title, two Hokies garnered first-place finishes in Peru as incoming freshman Rachel Baxter won the pole vault event on Friday. Rising sophomore Laurie Barton placed fifth in the 800-meter run on Saturday.

Team USA leads all countries in the medal count as events continue throughout the rest of the day.

In 2015, the United States captured 58 medals (30 gold, 14 silver, 14 bronze) to claim the most out of the 31 countries participating.

Another incoming freshman for the Hokies won a pole vault title this weekend as Lisa Gunnarsson did so at the European Junior Championships in Grosseto, Italy. The Sweden native cleared a height of 4.40m (14'5.25").

For more information on the Pan American Junior Championships, click here to go to the home page.

For more information on the European Junior Outdoor Championships, click here to go to the home page.

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