Eugene, Ore. ? Kansas University sprinter Diamond Dixon added another honor to her freshman season Saturday as she was crowned the U.S. junior national champion in the 400 meters at Hayward Field.

Dixon has earned an automatic spot on the U.S. junior team that will compete at the Pan American Junior Games in late July in Miramar, Fla.

Dixon, who hails from El Paso, Texas, led for much of the race before separating herself from the rest of the pack down the home stretch. She crossed the finish line in 52.67, her third-fastest time of the season.

“It feels great to have gone up against some of those girls and come out on top,” Dixon said. “My main focus was just to go out strong in the first 100 (meters), relax and go hard down the back stretch. I think I did a good job of that today.”

Saturday’s victory added more hardware to Dixon’s already stellar freshman campaign, a season in which she was crowned Big 12 champion in the 400 meters, an indoor and outdoor All-American and a third-place finisher in the 400 meters at the NCAA Championships.

“I am very excited to be able to compete there,” said Dixon of the chance to compete for the U.S. at the Pan American Junior Games. “I’ve never been to Florida before so it’ll be a lot of fun.”

Also in action for KU Saturday was Jordan Scott, who took part in the men’s pole vault at the senior level. Scott, who concluded his Jayhawk career in May, was unable to clear the bar at 5.54 meters (18 feet, 2 inches), ending his day in fifth place, his best finish ever at the national meet.