( Kaieteur News ) – Guyana's largest-ever team to the World Athletics U20 Championships has made an encouraging start to its campaign in Oregon, USA, with several athletes advancing to the semi-finals as the nation pursues its first podium finish at the global junior showpiece in 14 years.

Athaliyah Hinckson advanced to the semis of the women's 100m at the World U20 Championships. (TrackAlert photo)

The 100m semi-finals were contested last evening, while Solomon is scheduled to return to the track on Friday in the women's 800m semi-finals, with the medal race set for Saturday.

Hunting a medal at the Championships for the first time since 2012, Guyana has fielded a record 12-athlete contingent, and, up to press time, the performances have provided plenty of reasons for optimism.

Guyana has only one medal in the history of the Championships, which began in 1986 in Athens, Greece, thanks to Kadecia Baird, who captured a silver medal in the women's 400m in Barcelona, Spain.

Leading the charge in Oregon is sprint sensation Athaleyha Hinckson, who safely negotiated the opening round of the women's 100m with an assured performance.

Olivia Solomon in action at the World U20 Championships.

The talented sprinter, who arrived at the Championships boasting a personal best of 11.10s and ranked among the world's top five Under-20 women this season, looked in complete control throughout Heat Two.

Hinckson crossed the line in 11.31s to finish second and secure automatic qualification for the semi-finals.

She was beaten only by St Lucia's Jady Emanuel, who won the heat in 11.28s, while Australia's Maya Taber finished third in 11.39s.

The men's 100m produced mixed fortunes for Guyana.

Onesi Dunn ensured Guyana maintained a strong presence in the event by finishing second in Heat Three in 10.38s to comfortably book his place in the semi-finals.

Olivia Solomon booked her place in the women's 800m semis at the World U20 Championships.

However, Gordon Thompson's campaign came to an early end after he clocked 10.77s to finish seventh in Heat Two, a result that was not enough to advance.

Another standout performance came from 15-year-old middle-distance star Olivia Solomon, whose remarkable rise continued on the international stage.

The CARIFTA Games U17 800m gold medallist produced another composed display in the women's 800m, stopping the clock at 2:06.55 to establish a new Guyana National U20 record and her place in the semi-finals.

The 100m semi-finals were contested last evening, while Solomon is scheduled to return to the track on Friday in the women's 800m semi-finals, with the medal race set for Saturday.

Attention now shifts to Guyana's talented quarter-milers, with Malachi Austin and Tianna Springer both set to begin their campaigns today in the men's and women's 400m respectively.

Austin is expected to play a pivotal role in Guyana's 4x400m relay team, while Springer will be aiming to carry her impressive form into the individual event.

Guyana's squad for the championship which will conclude on August 9, also includes Skylar Charles (200m, 4x100m relay and 4x400m relay), Tishawn Easton (200m, 400m and 4x400m relay), Dequan Farrell (100m, 200m and 4x100m relay), Dejuan Grant (4x400m relay), Angel Jeffery (100m) and Ezekiel Millington (4x100m relay).

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