Aug. 8, 2006

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - Kaitlyn Andrews will have traveled farther than most incoming freshmen when she arrives on the Stephen F. Austin campus later this month -- and not just because the elite shot putter makes her home in Canada. Before heading south to begin her collegiate career, Andrews will travel halfway around the world to compete in the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Junior Championships, set for Aug. 15-20 in Beijing, China.

Andrews, a Georgetown, Ontario, native, earned one of the 28 bids to compete in the shot put by winning the Canadian Junior Championships with a throw of 47-04.5. Andrews is the top-ranked junior shot putter in Canada. The World Junior Championships shot put competition is scheduled for Aug. 15.

"I am excited about the opportunities that await Kaitlyn in the next two weeks, as she will meet and compete against the top junior athletes in the world," said Phil Olson, head track and field coach at SFA. "She will represent Georgetown, the province of Ontario, and Canada very well."

The IAAF World Junior Championships have been held every two years since 1986. The organization has a total membership of 212 nations. A record 182 countries will send teams to this year's competition.

-- SFA --