PENN RELAYS REVIEW

This past weekend the greatest relay carnival produced another successful meet, the Penn Relays. The Penn Relays have a special place inside the hearts of many, it is one of the few track meets were Americans can see the sport in it's true glory. As expected there were plenty of Jamaican fans to show support for their country and their athletes did not disappoint.

(UTech 4x100 relay 38.97)

(Nicholas Watson, Andrew Fisher, Aldophus Nevers and Julian Forte)

The college men's 4x100 relay saw history made. No Jamaican college has ever won the men's 4x100 relay event at the Penn Relays, UTech decided to change that. With solid speed and quality exchanges Nicholas Watson, Andrew Fisher, Aldophus Nevers and Julian Forte held off St. Augustine's and Auburn to claim the 4x100 relay title in 38.92. Their time ties them for 10th all time. This certainly proves that Jamaica is fully capable of taking care of their own athletes.

The women's 4x100 relay say history made as well. No team has ever won the event 5 times in a row. Even the great LSU teams under Pat Henry had no been so lucky, this time Pat Henry would try his luck with his the program he built from the ground up in 2005, Texas A&M.

(Texas A&M Women's 4x100 Relay)

(Lakeidra Stewart, Ashton Purvis, Kamaria Brown and Ashely Collier)

Texas A&M has become a sprinting powerhouse under Henry and has had more success than his stint at LSU. The relay consisted of Lakeidra Stewart, Ashton Purvis, Kamaria Brown and Ashley Collier. Purvis to Brown seems like a perfect combination with the 200 meter dash being their strength and further proof that Henry is still a quality relay coach. His Aggies marched around the track clocking in at 43.05. Their time puts them 6th all time. UTech of Jamaica finished 2nd with a time of 43.32.

In the men's 4x800 relay senior Casimir Loxsom again led his Penn State team to the title. Although not as quality of a group as last year the Nittany Lions where still able to pull of the win with an impressive time of 7:14.14. Loxsom ran the third leg and had the best split clocking in at 1:46.30. Villanova finished 2nd respectively with a time of 7:17.37.

The women of Villanova decided to represent in style. The Lady Wildcats have had amazing history at the Penn Relays in the distance events. Having already won the event 9 times and set countless records they decided to further stamp themselves in the history book with a record setting 4x800 relay win. In a great battle with Oregon the Wildcats were able to outlast the Ducks due to a strong anchor leg from Emily Lipari. Their time of 8:17.45 set a Penn Relays Record, breaking the old record by Tennessee set in 2009. (Emily Lipari, Kelsey Margey, Angel Piccirillo and Nicky Adande).

The Lady Wildcats also claimed another title in the women's distance medley relay. The only different member, Kelsey Margey was replaced for the 400 leg of the relay by Michaela Wilkins. The Wildcats were the only group under 11 minutes with a time of 10:58.04. This was their 12 title in the event.

In the field events Derek Drouin of Indiana continued his domination of the men's high jump. His mark of 7-7.75 set a new Penn Relays record for the first time since 2002. Drouin also ran the first leg of Indiana's 3rd place finishing shuttle hurdle relay team.

The 4x400 relay is the final event of the meet every year and always excites. This year Texas A&M was a top seed enter in both men's and women's races since number 1 ranked Florida for both men and women traveled to Arkansas.

The men's 4x400 relay surprised many with Ameer Webb running the first leg. Webb was able to hold his own with a 46.0 first leg. Without Florida in the race the Aggies never really saw a challenge and won the event by more than a second ahead of St. Augustine. This was Texas A&M 2nd win in the event at the Penn Relays and the time of 3:02.52 easily moved them ahead of Florida in the rankings. The time is a bonus because it was done without Deon Lendore anchoring in the 44 second range. (Ameer Webb, Aldrich Bailey Jr., Carlyle Roudette and Deon Lendore).

On the women's side Texas A&M was not as successful, however their time was stellar. The University of Oregon, who certainly has come along way in women's sprinting was able to outlast UTech of Jamaica with a time of 3:26.73 to set a Penn Relay record. Junior Phyllis Francis ran outstanding anchor clocking in at 49.9 to hold of Stephanie McPherson of UTech who split a 49.6 to lead her team to a 3:27.85 finish. (English Gardner, Chizoba Okodogbe, Laura Roesler and Phyllis Francis)


The Penn Relays always end the regular season well, with it now being May and Championship Season starting this weekend we should expect some major shake-ups in the rankings.