Jeshua Anderson finishes fifth in 400H at Pan Ams; UW alum Planell Cruz 10th in pole vault...

TORONTO, Ontario—Washington State University alum Jeshua Anderson (left/photo by Paul Merca) finished fifth in the finals of the men’s 400 hurdles Thursday night at the 2015 Pan Am Games at the CIBC Pan Am Athletics Stadium on the campus of York University.

Anderson, who ran the fastest time of the semis Wednesday at 49.73, ran a season best time of 48.95, as Jeffery Gibson of the Bahamas won in a personal best 48.51, followed by Puerto Rico’s Javier Culson in 48.67, and Jamaica’s Roxroy Cato in 48.72.

Kerron Clement of Team USA was fourth in 48.72, followed by Anderson in a season best 48.95, breaking 49 seconds for the first time this season.

University of Washington alum Diamara Planell Cruz, competing for her native Puerto Rico, finished tenth in the finals of the women’s pole vault, clearing 13-7.25 (4.15m).  Yarisley Silva of Cuba won with a new Pan Am meet record of 15-11 (4.85m), which is the best mark in the world this season.

CORRECTION:  Planell Cruz will have one season of indoor track eligibility remaining at the University of Washington.

On Friday, Anderson and Tacoma native Marcus Chambers may run in the qualifying round of the men’s 4 x 400 meter relay, as they are part of the relay pool.  The USA is in the first of two semifinal heats scheduled to go at 12:20 pm local time (9:20 am in Seattle).

The daily schedule and complete results for the track and field portion of the Pan Am Games is available here.

ESPN will have live coverage of the Pan Am Games via its online and on-air platforms, including ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN3/WatchESPN.

WHAT’S ON TAP THIS WEEKEND

The IAAF Diamond League makes its annual stop in London for the Sainsbury’s Anniversary Games at the Olympic Stadium for two days of competition.

Among those competing Friday are Bernard Lagat (3000), Brad Walker (PV), and Katie Mackey (1500).

In Dublin, Ireland, Auburn/Riverside alum Jordan McNamara & Riley Masters of the Brooks Beasts will run the mile at the Morton Games.

Saturday, Pan Am javelin silver medalist Kara Winger goes against a strong field in her specialty in day two of the Sainsbury’s Anniversary Games in London, while Cas Loxsom of the Brooks Beasts will run the 800.

The Pan Am Games track and field competition concludes in Toronto, as Garrett Heath of the Brooks Beasts will run in the finals of the men’s 5000, while Marcus Chambers & Jeshua Anderson may be called upon to run legs in the 4 x 400 meter relay finals, assuming Team USA advances out of their heat Friday.