Penn Relay Preview (Women)

(Long Beach Poly on the right National Record 4x100 44.50)

(Vere Tech on the left Penn Relay Record 44.32)

Sprints

The High School girls unfortunately miss out on the Saturday action by having to compete on Friday. However their performances do not go unnoticed. In the Girls Championship 4x100 relay Jamaica has dominated over the past thirty years. Vere Technical of Jamaica has one this event a record 15 times, no other high school has won more than 4. Long Beach Poly has been America's best representative at this meet and hold the high school national record at 44.50. Edwin Allen is the early favorite with a season's best of 45.00. Edwin Allen has one this event two times, '07 and '08.

The College Women's race has recently been dominated by Texas A&M. Pat Henry brought his relay winning formula from LSU. Dennis Shaver took over at LSU after Henry and the Lady Tigers have not fallen. In fact under Shaver's direction in 2008 LSU set the Penn Relays record in the 4x100 relay with a time of 42.59. They currently lead the NCAA this season with a time of 42.99. Texas A&M is not far behind however with a season's best of 43.21.

LSU posted a rather impressive 4x200 relay time at the Texas Relays clocking in at 1:30.01. However that same quartet is not listed to compete this year. Texas A&M has the 2nd fastest time coming in and will likely claim the title if LSU's b-squad is not up to task. Keep and eye out for the speedy ACC Champions Clemson, they should provide a strong performance.

The High School Girls 4x400 relay is where America has some decent success. However Vere Tech still has won the event 10 times and Holmwood Technical, also of Jamaica holds the meet record a t 3:34.75 set in 2001. Vere Tech is the early favorite currently listed as the only team under 3:40. Just like the 4x100 relay Long Beach Poly has generally been the best American representative and also has the national record with a time of 3:35.49. This year Poly has yet to assemble their best team and must pull the big upset. Other strong American teams include Wakefield from North Carolina and Garden City of New Jersey.

The race amongst colleges does not have the top team competing at the meet. Texas is currently the only women's program in the NCAA running sub 3:30. However Texas A&M and LSU field two very strong teams. LSU is currently ranked 2nd with a season best of 3:30.42.


The Shuttle Hurdle Relay is another event were LSU has dominated. The Lady Tigers have won the event a record 8 times. Most recently Texas A&M has been able to put a couple of strong teams together and have won it the last two years. LSU enters a strong team with sophomore sensation Jasmine Stowers but Clemson has the best hurdling group in the country led by Brianna Rollins and Bridgette Owens.



Distance

Tennessee has won the women's 4x800 relay seven times and currently has the two best times every ran at Penn Relays. This season they are anchored by senior Chanelle Price. Price has not lived up to expectations over her career but has been consistently good all four years. The Oregon Ducks bring a strong group of 800 runners and may have the best squad of the weekend and are also favorites to win the 4x1,500 over Boston College. Villanova, the all time leader in wins in this event enters a solid group that should contend and possibly earn the Wildcats their 10th victory. 

In the Distance Medley relay Villanova again brings a great quartet to compete against Georgetown and Tennessee. Georgetown ran away with the title this past indoor season and will use that same line up. The Oregon Ducks as usual will be a threat to win the event.

As I stated early Oregon boasts the strong group of milers in the NCAA. Boston College will rely on the King sisters Jillian and Caroline to challenge Oregon. Oregon has four athletes that have run under 4:17 and will have a strong veteran superstar in Jordan Hasay to anchor them and likely win another title for Oregon. Villanova is also a team for title consideration.