Penn Relays Review

This past weekend many track and field fans were treated to the greatest Track and Field event on American soil known as the Penn Relays. This three day carnival is a spectacle to see with the many relay competitions. Each level of track and field takes the spotlight as over 100,000 fans arrive for the three day event. Let's review some of the best moments at the meet.


UTECH DOMINATES THE SHORT SPRINTS

Until 2012 no Jamaican University was able to win any relay event at the Penn Relays. In 2012 the claimed the 4x200 relay and then in 2013 they claimed the 4x100 relay. This year in 2014 UTech took both events in domineering fashion proving that Jamaica is here to stay and for now has taken the top spot from the United States. The men's 4x100 relay nearly broke the record held by TCU by clocking in at 38.72 and the 4x200 almost went under 1:20 with a time of 1:20.07.


TEXAS A&M AGAIN



Pat Henry has continued his relay success he had at LSU at Texas A&M. The lady Aggies have become a dominant power in the collegiate sprinting world in the relays. This past weekend Texas A&M claimed there 6th straight title in the 4x100 relay. Their total of 6 victories is now half of the total LSU has earned, most of which former coach Pat Henry. They also earned the 6th victory in the 4x200 relay albeit not consecutive. The clocked stopped at 1:30.21 just barely ahead of rival Texas who was second in 1:30.26. The race was turned on the second exchange when Texas third leg Briana Nelson left a little too early. Texas A&M gained the lead with Olivia Ekpone running a strong third leg and Kamaria Brown running an equally strong anchor leg.


VICTORY NUMBER 11!

The University of Texas has been long known for the dominance in the women's 4x400 relay and open 400 running. Since Beverly Kearney arrived in the early 90's the Texas Longhorns have won a total of 10 titles at the Penn Relays. This year under new sprint coach Tonja Buford-Bailey they returned to their winning ways in dominating fashion with a time of 3:25.05 a Penn Relay Record. The Longhorns had a great start from Briana Nelson who led with a time of 52.1. Second leg Courtney Okolo broke the race open with a split of 49.7, while true freshman Kendal Baisden split 52.5 and anchor Ashley Spencer ran 50.6. Only one runner of this group is a senior and that would be Nelson, look for the Lady Longhorns to return to their winning ways in this event.


DUCKS DOUBLE

The Oregon Duck men are still riding high after their NCAA Indoor title. This outdoor season they gotten off to a great start with top performances all over the track which has earned them their number 1 ranking. The Ducks stretched their distance muscles yet again by claiming the Distance Medley Relay and The 4xMile relay. It's their 3rd victory in the 4xMile and 2nd in the DMR. In the 4xMile Oregon had an early strong lead thanks in part to true freshman Edward Cheserek who split 3:56.4. Anchor Mac Fleet who had a sizable lead when he received the stick still ran a great split of 4:00.4 nearly breaking the 4 minute barrier without any competition. Cheserek also ran a strong anchor leg in the DMR with a split of 3:57, while senior teammate Eric Berry ran the 400 leg with a split of 44.7.


NUMBER 20!!

Villanova is located in the great state of Pennsylvania and since their arrival at the Penn Relays they have become perhaps the most historical dominant program. In practically every event aside from the short sprint relays Villanova has a large winning history. They have more all time wins than any program in the 4x400, 4x800, Distance Medley Relay and the Sprint Medley Relay. One of their best events in the 4x800 relay, which prior to this year they have won 19 times. The only programs within reach are Michigan, Georgetown and Penn who are all tied with 10. The dominance would continue this year with their 20th victory clocking in at 7:16.58. Anchor Samuel Ellison had the top split with 1:46.5 to lead a total of 3 men who split under 1:50.

It was another great meet this year and 2015 should be even better.


Up Next:  LSU Alumni Gold

Weekend Review

This past weekend started the first major conference championship and the final weekend before the Penn Relays, the world’s greatest relay carnival. There were plenty of great performances this weekend at Mt Sac Relays that will begin our highlight.

-OREGON WOMEN TAKING FLIGHT-

To dispel any rumors that the Lady Ducks were an indoor team only the Lady Ducks put on quite a show at the Mt Sac Relays in the sprints and distance races.

Jenna Prandini and Phyllis Francis are two headliners looking for individual championship hardware. Prandini got one step closer with a national leading time of 11.11 in the women’s 100 to defeat last year’s NCAA Champion English Gardner and indoor champion Ramona Burchell of Alabama. Her teammate Francis set an American Indoor record in the women’s 400 and got off to strong start to beat a group of professionals as well as collegians with a time of 51.57. They both combined to compete in the 4x100 relay were the Ducks ran a national leading time of 43.32.

In the 800 the Ducks showed they are more than a one girl wrecking crew. Laura Roesler is the top half miler in the NCAA and more than proved that this weekend by clocking in at 2:00.54 to lead a 1-2 finish at the Mt. Sac Relays. Her teammate and fellow senior Samantha Murphy followed behind her with a time of 2:02.61 that currently ranks her 2^nd in the NCAA. Talented sophomore Annie LeBlanc also finished in the top 8 with a time of 2:04.28. Their performance at the Mt. Sac Relays is an indication that Oregon is a real threat to win the NCAA Outdoor title as well.

-FLORIDA STATE MEN WIN….AGAIN-

The Florida State men’s program has proven time and time again that the ACC has become just another meet. Since 2002 Florida State has won 11 titles. They have been able to be some dominant with great sprinting, distance running, jumping and throwing. They are well balanced program and displayed why they are a top 5 team again this season. However the championship meet was still a fight against host North Carolina.

The sprints are what Florida State has been internationally known for. The bulk of their success comes in the 100 and 200 meter dashes. With great past sprinters such as Walter Dix, Charles Clark, Maurice Mitchell and Ricardo Chambers all of whom have won an NCAA title, no wonder why the world has taken notice.

Dentarious Locke is the latest sprint prodigy out of Florida State. Locke finished in a clock 2^nd last season at the NCAA outdoor meet while still finding a way under 10 seconds. This indoor season he proved that he was championship material by winning the indoor 60 meter title in a time of 6.52 seconds. He carried that success to the ACC Championship meet this past weekend with a winning 100 meter time of 10.16 in cold conditions.

In the 200 Locke provided valuable team points finishing third while Pittsburg Carvin Nkanata successfully defended his title with a time of 20.47. Locke also contributed his talents to Florida State in the relays running the third 3^rd leg of the 4x400 relay and the 2^nd leg of 4x100 relay with his team winning the latter and finishing third in the former. All in all Locke contributed a total of 32 points over the weekend.

Another athlete that provided valuable points was James Harris. Harris is an all-around excellent athlete with great speed and athleticism. Harris can run an open low 45 second 400 while jump well over 7 feet. Harris claimed the NCAA Indoor title and looked to begin a successful outdoor championship season this past weekend. Harris was able to claim the high jump title in 7 feet 1 inch. He participated in both relays running the anchor leg. Harris was not done there, he step down in events running the 200 meter dash where he finish 4^th behind his team Locke. Harris himself contributed a total of 31 points.

New transfer Oxniel Texiera claimed the 800 meter title for Seminoles running a time of 1:51.39 after running a 1:49 preliminary race to help add 10 points to the teams overall total.

Both programs will be at the greatest relay carnival in the world this weekend, the PENN RELAYS. Both programs have proven their ranking and are in serious title contention status.