14 THE WEEKLY GLEANER | MARCH 20 - APRIL 19, 2025 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | SPORTS Aubrey Campbell/Gleaner Writer PHILADELPHIA, PA: PATRONS ATTENDING the 129th staging of the Penn Relays Carnival (PRC) at the Franklin Field Stadium, on the sprawling campus of the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn), Philadelphia, USA, are being promised the usual high-energy performance and competition, according to a release from Penn Athletics. Presented by Toyota, the three-day sporting spectacle starts on Thursday, April 24 and ends on Saturday, April 26. “We are excited to host events across all levels at the 129th running of the Penn Relays this year.” Since the return in 2022, the annual event has seen various changes and additions to provide the best experience for competitors and fans alike. The most notable change was the alignment of collegiate schedules for men and women, with the majority of events being contested on Friday and Saturday for both genders. The high school division was also affected, and events designated ‘Olympic Development’ for national senior athletes on the pro circuit were also expanded. In a move seen by many as a response to concerns from the carnival’s robust fan base, Penn Athletics opted to tinker with the schedule, rotating the very popular high school programme, allowing the girls to share the Saturday spotlight, usually reserved for the boys. That was two years ago. This year, the girls will again be in the spotlight on Friday and Saturday, with the boys taking to the track on Thursday and Friday, starting with the heats of the 4 x 800m relay. “The Penn Relays are a celebration of speed, strength, and the spirit of competition,”said Steve Dolan, director of the Penn Relays.“ It is an event where athletes from all over the world can come together to test their limits and create unforgettable moments. From breaking world records to setting personal bests, the meet serves as a launching pad for some of the biggest stars in track and field.” Last year, Harvard’s women broke the all-time collegiate women’s distance medley relay record with a time of 10:37.55. The men’s 4x400 mile featured fierce competition, with Villanova clocking in first with an alltime record of 15:51.91. In the girls’ 4x400m relay, Bullis High School (Maryland) broke the then US high school record with a time of 3:35.17. Union Catholic (New Jersey) set the US high school record in the 4x800m relay, clocking 8:41.20 (both records were later broken in June). Among the Jamaicans, Hydel girls repeated their Championship of the Americas (CoA) winning performance of 2023 in the sprint (4x100m) and mile (4x400m) relays, while the Excelsior boys mined gold in the sprint relay, their first in almost 60 years, The HSG 4x400m relay championship will close this year’s programme for the Jamaican schools. …On your mark Hydel High School’s Oneka Wilson (left) goes in chase of Edwin Allen’s Tia Clayton during the Championship of America 4x100-metre relay at the Penn Relays in Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, on Friday, April 29, 2022. The Hydel High School team of Oneika McAnuff, Bryanna Lyston, Kerrica Hill, and Aliah Baker celebrate winning the Championship of America girls’ 4x400-metre relay at the Pennsylvania Relays inside Franklin Field Stadium on Frday, April 29, 2022. PHOTOS COURTESY OF PENN RELAYS MEDIA PENN RELAYS 129
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