July 21, 2010

By Eric Trainer, Associate Director of Media Relations

MONCTON, Canada -- University of Tennessee football and track & field signee Justin Hunter took care of business Tuesday night in his first foray into international competition. Representing the United States at the IAAF World Junior Track & Field Championships, Hunter advanced to the long jump final, posting the sixth-best mark of the prelims at Stade Moncton 2010.

Hunter, who entered the competition with the sixth-best mark of all the competitors and No. 1 among U.S. preps at 25-10 3/4 (7.89m), uncorked a leap of 25 feet, 3/4 of an inch (7.64m) on his first attempt of the qualifying round. He was unable to better that measurement, but it held up and garnered him passage to Wednesday night's final with 11 other qualifiers.

Luvo Manyonga of South Africa had the best effort of the prelims, soaring to 25-5 1/2 on his initial attempt. Hunter's U.S. teammate, Carlton Lavong, didn't fare as well, winding up 28th at 23-5 1/4.

The final is slated for 8:15 p.m. Wednesday night.