Cullowhee, N.C. – Western Carolina’s sophomore sprinter, Tayla Carter, is one of four athletes to compete for the Bahamas in the Pan-American Junior Championships Aug. 23 through Aug. 25 in Medellin, Colombia.

Carter, who was born in the Bahamas before moving to Marietta, Georgia with her mother, will run in the 100m and 200m. The 100m semifinal is scheduled to start Friday, Aug. 23 during the morning session with the finals slated for the evening session Friday night.  The 200m semifinal will start Saturday, Aug. 24 during the morning session with the finals set for Saturday’s night session.

“This is a great honor for Tayla,” head WCU track & field coach Danny Williamson said. “This is just another reward for her hard work, dedication and effort.”

It is the second time this summer she has represented her native country in meet. Carter competed in the Central America & Caribbean Senior Championships back on July 5 through July 7. She ran the opening leg of 4x100m relay for the Bahamas team that finished in third place.

She took the top podium spot in three individual events at the two SoCon championship meets during the 2012-13 track & and field season. She also set three school records during the indoor season and a third record during the outdoor season of her freshman campaign. Academically, she was named to the SoCon Honor Roll.

Forty-four countries will be represented in the three-day meet including athletes from the United States, Canada, Mexico and Jamaica. The championship is held every four years to give an opportunity to the athletes from North America, South America, Central America and the Caribbean to compete with the best athletes in the hemisphere according to the meet information packet.