Michael Berry runs fastest split for Team USA in 4 x 4 semis victory...

MONCTON, New Brunswick--As the final two days of the IAAF World Junior Track & Field Championships wind down, Rainier Beach High School senior Michael Berry (left/finish photo courtesy Seiko/IAAF) set Team USA up for a gold medal run Sunday with his scintillating anchor leg on the men's 4 x 400 meter relay Saturday afternoon.

Team USA turned in the fastest junior time in the world this year with a 3:05.84 clocking. Ohio high schooler Blake Heriot ran the lead leg in 47.3, and handed off to George Mason's David Verburg, who split 46.2. The third carry by Florida high schooler Joshua Edmonds was 46.6, and Berry anchored in 45.8.

Berry said, "We ran really well for the first time together. We just wanted to win and make the final, and I knew I had to hold the lead. They did all the dirty work, and I just brought it home."

Berry's leg should assure him of a spot on Team USA's foursome for Sunday's finals, which concludes the meet at 3:40 pm, Moncton time (11:40 am in Seattle).

The final day of competition at the IAAF World Junior Championships will be shown live on CBC Sports starting at 9:30 am pacific time. In Seattle, viewers can watch the meet on CBUT, channel 99 on Comcast, or channel 619 on Comcast HD (update: On the west coast, CBC is showing the world junior championships on a 3 hour delay)...

The IAAF's results home page can be accessed here.

NOTE: USA Track & Field contributed to this report.

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