Bermuda's medal aspirations at the Pan-Am Junior Championships have been dealt a blow with their brightest young athlete, Aaron Evans, pulling out through injury.

Evans sustained a hamstring injury at the recent CAC Senior Championships in Cuba where he won the silver medal, although he had been expected to recover in time for the Pan-Am Juniors, to be held in Trinidad this weekend.

There had been high hopes of the 800 metre runner repeating his medal success in the Caribbean in what would have been the 19-year-old's final year of eligibility for the prestigious biennial event.

In Evans' absence, the Island's best chances of medalling at the championships now rest on the shoulders of sprint duo Tre Houston and Island Games silver medallist Jeneko Lottimore Place.

Only eight athletes travelled to Trinidad yesterday with Matthew Spring withdrawing due to injury, while fellow middle distance man Trey Simons has opted to compete at an East Coast meet instead.

Bermuda Track and Field Association (BTFA) president Donna Watson said the Island's podium pretensions has suffered a setback in the absence of some of their most gifted athletes, but still expected a number of respectable showings.

"Aaron (Evans) pulled his hamstring when we were at the CACs and we were hoping it was going to be healed by the Pan-Am Juniors, especially as this would be his last year to be eligible," said Watson.

"He will be a big miss and he was one of our medal possibilities. We ended up sending a team of eight athletes which is unfortunate as we were expecting around 12."

Stepping into Evans' 800m shoes this weekend will be Darico Clarke who described his older cousin as the team's most experienced performer and someone who would be sorely missed.

"It's a shame Aaron has had to pull out because of injury," said Clarke, who competed at the Carifta Games in St.Lucia earlier this year.

"He's the oldest of the group and someone we all look up to. I think Tre Houston is probably our best chance of picking up a medal now."

BTFA president Watson said she would be particularly looking out for rookie hurdler Tristan Joynes who will make his international bow against some of the top young athletes in the world.

Big things are also expected of fast improving marathon runner Sean Trott who placed fifth overall in this year's May 24 centennial race, setting a new record in the junior male division.

The Pan Am Junior Championships run from Friday, July 31 until Sunday, August 2.

Bermuda's Pan Am

Junior squad

Alexis Bean – 1500m

Ashley Berry – 1500m

Darico Clarke – 800m

Tre Houston – 100m

Jeneko Place – 200m

Sean Trott –5000m

Tristan Joynes – 110m hurdles

Henry Stevens-Carty – 800m