Aug. 17, 2006

Missouri Baptist University sophomore Nikkita Holder qualified for the semifinals of the 100-meter hurdles at the World Junior Track and Field Championships in Bejing, China. Representing her home country of Canada, Holder's time of 13.97 is her fastest time of the year since finishing third at the NAIA Outdoor Track and Field National Championships in May. Her time of 13.50 at the NAIA Nationals tied her for the eighth best time in the world for juniors heading into this weekend. Holder will compete in the semifinals onFriday August 18 at 5:25 am.

The IAAF World Junior Championships is a gathering of the next generation of Olympians. The World Junior Championships were launched by the IAAF in 1986, when they were held in Athens. The competition has been held every second year as a tuneup meet for future Olympians to compete on a world stage. The top two athletes from each country are allowed to compete if they meet a qualifying standard. The World Junior Championships is the top track and field meet in the world for athletes under the age of 20.