EUGENE, Ore. -- Western Michigan sprinter Ayiana Gaines wrapped up the USA Track & Field Junior National Championships by taking fourth place in the 400-meter dash at the University of Oregon's Hayward Field on Saturday afternoon.

Gaines ran a new personal-best time of 53.40 seconds to recover from a slow start to finish in the top half.

"For her as a freshman to come out here in front of a huge crowd and a lot of pros that was huge," said head coach Kelly Lycan. "Some people get in awe but she handled it really well and ended up running her fastest time of the whole year."

After starting off slow Gaines was in fifth place before making her move during the final half of the race. She was able to catch up and battle for second and third but just missed out down the final stretch. The finish was the highest of any runner the Broncos have sent to the USA Junior Nationals. Former Bronco Irene Cooper is the only student-athlete to take gold, winning the hammer throw back in 2006.

Gaines will now wait to see if she will be selected to compete as a member of the USA's 4x400-meter relay team at the Pan Am Games in Toronto, Canada in July.