Berry anchors Team USA to gold medal in 4 x 400 relay at World Juniors...

MONCTON, New Brunswick--Rainier Beach High School senior Michael Berry (left/photo by Kirby Lee/Image of Sport) anchored Team USA to a world leading junior time of 3:04.76 in claiming the gold medal in the final running event of the IAAF World Junior Track & Field Championships.

Given a lead of about eight meters entering the anchor leg by teammates Joshua Mance, Errol Nolan, and David Verburg, Berry stretched out the lead on the backstretch, and maintained the lead on the final 100 meters.

It was a start to finish win for the Americans who lined up their two best quarter milers in the two opening legs. Once individual finalist Mance had securely handed over in an unofficial split time 46.7 to bronze medallist Nolan (45.5) all that was left for Verburg and Berry, who is coached by former NFL running back Eric Metcalf, was to hold on for dear life.

paulmerca.blogspot.com had a very unofficial split of 45.8 for Berry based on the video shown online. An updated split from respected track & field writer Jim Dunaway, who was in the press tribune, had Berry in 45.9.

Complete results from the IAAF world junior championships can be accessed here.