PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO—Curtis Beach, an incoming freshman, won the decathlon at the Pan American Junior Championships in Trinidad and Tobago on Saturday. The highly touted recruit out of Albuquerque, N.M. defeated fellow U.S. teammate Gray Horn of the University of Florida with a score of 7,377 to 6,982.

Beach held the lead after the first day of competition, winning the high jump and the 400-meter dash. Horn kept pace by winning the 110 hurdles and the discus. The two Americans both tied in the pole vault, but Beach took the lead for good after the javelin and 1,500 meters, which he excels at.

Beach's gold medal performance completes his last track and field event in his prep career before attending Duke University.
The Pan American Junior Championships began in 1980 as a biennial event, which includes the best track and field athletes 20 years and under. The Pan Am Juniors is one of the most renowned international track events for young track athletes.  

Beach was recently named the 2008-2009 Gatorade National Boys Track & Field Athlete of the Year. This prestigious award is given based on athletic achievement as well as academic success and sportsmanship. Beach is the only decathlete to ever win the award in its history. He is also the only athlete from New Mexico to be honored. Beach was also nominated for the 2008-2009 Gatorade Male Athlete of the Year award.

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