Canadian sets record at junior Pan Ams

Alex Cataford of Ottawa set a new track record in qualifying for the men’s individual pursuit at the junior Panamerican championships Wednesday morning.

Cataford’s 3:30.386 was the fastest-ever 3,000-m time by a junior on the 16-year-old 250-metre concrete track in Mar del Plata, Argentina.

The result means Cataford will be racing for gold in the pursuit final Thursday morning against Chile’s Felipe Penaloza, who clocked a 3:32.901. The final should have been held Wednesday afternoon but the session was cancelled due to high winds and rain.

The championships continue through Sunday.