SAO PAULO, Brazil (July 8) ­ Jessica Pixler of Seattle Pacific University claimed a gold medal in her international debut, winning the women's 1500 meter run at the Junior Pan American Games Sunday.

Pixler (Fr., Sammamish, Wa./Eastlake) broke out of the pack during third lap and took control of the race thereafter. She finished in 4 minutes, 21.09 seconds.

Canada's Lindsay Carson was runner-up in 4:24.06 and Yusileidis Fuentes Canet of Cuba got the bronze in 4:24.92.

The NCAA Division II outdoor 1500 and indoor mile champion, Pixler was one of 11 gold medalists for the United States during the meet.