Incoming Husky frosh Julifs vaults to silver medal at Junior Pan Ams...

MIRAMAR, Florida--Incoming University of Washington freshman JJ Julifs (left/photo by Mike Scott) finished second in the pole vault on the first day of competition in the Pan American Junior Championships at the Ansin Sports Complex.

Julifs, the winner of the USA junior championships, cleared 16-8.75 (5.10m), slightly below his personal best of 17-2.75 (5.25m), as Brazil's Thiago Da Silva took the victory with a jump of 17-0.75 (5.20m).

The Sheldon High School standout from Eugene, Oregon led the competition until the bar went to 16-10.75 (5.15m), when the Brazilian cleared the bar on his first attempt, while Julifs missed.

Knowing that a clearance at that height would do him no good, Julifs elected to pass to the next height of 17-0.75, which he failed to navigate with his two remaining jumps, after Da Silva cleared on his first attempt.

Saturday, fellow incoming UW frosh Derrick Daigre will run in the semis of the 800, with the finals on Sunday.

Also competing on Saturday are Renton's Derek Eager and Vancouver's Sean Keller in the javelin trials and finals.

Results from the Pan American Junior Championships are available here.

In other action on Friday, Washington State alum Ian Waltz finished eighth in the discus at the Míting Internacional d ́Atletisme Ciutat de Barcelona, at the Estadio Olimpico in Barcelona, Spain, throwing 198-7 (60.52m).

Spain's Frank Casanas was the victor with a throw of 215-6 (65.68m).

Results from the Míting Internacional d ́Atletisme Ciutat de Barcelona are available here (click RESULTADOS).

In the "In case you missed it" department, here is video, courtesy of UniversalSports.com of the post race fracas after the men's 1500 meters at the Herculis meeting in Monaco on Friday between Frenchmen Mehdi Baala and Mahiedine Mekhissi...