RAYMOND GRAHAM, STAR Writer

After a disappointing performance at the World Youth Champion-ships in Cali, Colombia, where one medal - a gold by the outstanding Christopher Taylor - was the only bright spot for the Jamaicans, another junior team will be leaving the island today and will be hoping for better luck.

Members of the Junior Pan Am team will leave the island in two batches - at one o' clock and four o' clock - for Edmonton, Canada.

The Pan Am Junior Championships will be held from Friday, July 31, to Sunday, August 2.

Head coach Michael Carr, the man who was at the helm when Jamaica topped the standings at the 2013 WYC in Donetsk, Ukraine, is very confident that the 36-member team - 20 males and 16 females - will deliver despite the earlier withdrawal of world junior 400 metres hurdles champion Jaheel Hyde.

"This team is highly motivated to do well. We know that the United States, who are doing well at this level now, will be competing near to home, and we want to spoil their party," said Carr.

"We had a training camp before our departure and several of these athletes will be competing for the final time at this level. They want to go out in glory."

Carr said the below-par performance by the youth team has given the athletes added motivation going into the championships. The team has been bolstered by three overseas-based collegiate athletes led by male high jumper Christoff Bryan, a bronze medallist at the WYC in Donetsk.

The other two are Jonielle Smith and Daeshon Gordon. Gordon, who attends Louisiana State University, was fifth at the National Senior Championships in the Women's 100 metres hurdles in a national junior record, 12.97.

Smith, who attends the University of Auburn, was eighth in the women's 100m at the national championships.

The full squad comprises Sashalee Forbes, Yanique Thompson, Daeshon Gordon, Shanon Kallawan, Ashley Williams, Kimone Hines, Jonielle Smith, Candice McLeod, Dawnalee Loney, Roneisha McGregor, Jessica Noble, Shanice Lewis, Shanice Love, Safia Morgan, Tamara Moncreiffe, Ayesha Champaigne.

The male squad comprises Shivnarine Smalling, Xandre Blake, Roje Jackson Chin, Seanie Selvin, Kevaun Rattray, Hujaye Cornwall, Renardo Wilson, Ivan Henry, Demar Walker, Devaughn Smith, Shemar Salmon, Thaleeto Green, Obrien Wasome, Odain Lewis, Clayton Brown, Demar Gayle, Warren Barrett, Rajindra Campbell, Christoff Bryan, Marvin Williams.

Offficials are: Manager - Juliet Parkes; assistant manager - Langley Robinson; head coach - Michael Carr.

Coaches: Shanikie Osbourne, Ruel James, Michael McIntosh