APRIL 17 - MAY 17, 2025 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com PUBLISHED BY THE GLEANER COMPANY (MEDIA) LIMITED Aubrey Campbell/Gleaner Writer NEW YORK, NY: THE UNIVERSITY of Pennsylvania (UPenn) and the City of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is ready and able as always to host the Penn Relays Carnival (PRC) and aside from the programme change, this year will be no different. That’s the view of Aaron Robison, associate director of the Penn Relays while responding to questions regarding published reports that the staging of the 129 running of the relays carnival was in doubt. “It most definitely is on! The article in the newspaper last week was completely false, the alleged $175m that is being withheld from UPenn, has no impact on the Penn Relays.” The three days, weekend track & field spectacle will be staged from April 24 to 26, with intense competition among local, regional, national and international age group athletes including high schools, colleges and professionals. A seeming ‘right of passage’ for junior athletes from the wider Caribbean region in general and Jamaica, in particular, the PRC is seen as a ‘must cross that bridge’ to the bigger stage and ultimately the pinnacle of the sport. Coming off their championship winning performances in Kingston at the end of March, winners Kingston College boys and Hydel High School girls are expected to lead another strong Jamaican contingent to the PRC. 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 HSG 4x400m relay championship will close this year’s programme for the Jamaican schools which can expect good competition from their counterparts in the Maryland, New Jersey and New York areas. However, much of that could depend on the courtesies extended to the teams by the US Embassy, as up to the time of writing, some schools were making last gasp efforts to satisfy application deadlines and protocols. Presented by Toyota, the carnival starts at 9 am., on Thursday and Friday, and at 7 am, on Saturday. On your mark! Penn Relays carnival 129 is a go Hydel High School’s Oneka Wilson (left) goes in chase of Edwin Allen’s Tia Clayton during the Championship of America 4x100metre relay at the Penn Relays in Pennsylvania, Philadelphia on Frday, April 29, 2022. COURTESY OF PENN RELAYS MEDIA Winston Stan Evan Smith/ Contributor NEW YORK, NY: THE PENN Relays, the oldest and largest relay carnival in existence, dates back to a time when the world was transformed in 1895. Since its inception, it has attracted a diverse array of top-tier athletes from around the globe, blending the excitement of both seasoned professionals and enthusiastic amateurs. High school teams, especially those from the United States and Jamaica, vie for glory on this grand stage. Jamaica, a jewel in the Caribbean, is celebrated globally for its extraordinary sprinting prowess. This reputation is not solely built on the accomplishments of elite legends like Usain Bolt and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, but is deeply rooted in the remarkable achievements of high school athletes who continue to shape the future of track and field. The nation’s high school sports system has consistently nurtured some of the world’s finest sprinters, many of whom have ascended to super-stardom. One of the most illustrious platforms for these young athletes to display their talents is the Penn Relays, an iconic annual event held in the vibrant city of Philadelphia, USA. Over the years, Jamaican high school teams have woven an undeniable legacy into the fabric of this prestigious competition and for the past six decades, Jamaican high school teams have cultivated a formidable reputation for excellence at the Penn Relays. Their sheer dominance, particularly in the sprinting events, has turned them into crowd favourites, captivating audiences and drawing attention to the strength of Jamaica’s high school athletics system. The success of these young athletes on such a significant stage is a testament to the country’s unwavering commitment to sports development. The rigorous track and field programmes in the schools, in conjunction with lively national competitions, create a nurturing environment for budding track stars. The fierce rivalry among high schools, especially highlighted during the annual Boys’ and Girls’ Championships, known as “Champs”, serves as an exhilarating precursor to the high level of competition these athletes will face at the Penn Relays. High schools like Kingston College, Calabar, Jamaica College, Camperdown, Vere Technical, Edwin Allen, Holmwood Technical and The Queen’s School, stand as shining examples of the excellence within the Jamaica’s high school athletics system. THE PENN RELAYS – RELAY RECORDS – ARE CURRENTLY HELD BY JAMAICA HIGH SCHOOLS Calabar High School has shown a strong commitment to sprinting excellence, exemplified by their achievement in 2012 when they set a new boys’ 4x100m relay record with a time of 39.63 seconds. On the girls’side, Edwin Allen High School holds the record for the 4x100m relay, completing the race in 44.44 seconds in 2016. The Jamaica National Team also displayed exceptional teamwork and athletic prowess in the Men’s 4x200m Relay, where they set a record of 1:18.63. Similarly, Jamaica’s elite female sprinters set a record of 1:29.04 in the Women’s 4x200m Relay. In the Men’s 4x400m Relay, a combination of peak performance, strategic thinking, and exceptional stamina led the Jamaica National Team to a record time of 3:01.34 in 2016. These remarkable athletes are not just representatives of their schools; they embody the spirit of a nation that has risen to prominence as a global powerhouse in track and field. As the Penn Relays continue to elevate their status, Jamaican high school athletes are set to lead the charge in this prestigious competition, leaving an indelible mark on the track for generations to come. PENN RELAYS HALL OF FAME The Penn Relays Hall of Fame stands as a prestigious recognition, honouring athletes, coaches, and teams who have profoundly impacted the success and rich history of the event. Several Jamaican athletes are in the Penn Relays Hall of Fame, including Merlene Ottey, one of the most successful and enduring sprinters in track and field history. She was inducted into the Penn Relays Hall of Fame in 1990. Usain Bolt, now a global legend, was inducted in 2010. Elaine Thompson-Herah, the second fastest female 100m of all time and Olympic 100m record holder, was inducted: 2020. Asafa Powell, former 100m world record holder, one of the fastest men in history, achieving multiple sub-10-second 100m sprints, was inducted in 2011. Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, renowned as one of the most accomplished female sprinters in history, Fraser-Pryce’s legendary performances at the Penn Relays have often led her teams to resounding victories in the coveted 4x100m relay. ShellyAnn Fraser-Pryce was induction into the Penn Relays Hall of Fame in 2019. This enriched version deepens the descriptive elements and provides a vivid picture of Jamaica’s illustrious sprinting heritage while honouring the remarkable achievements of its athletes. Winston Smith is a journalist and co-host of The Sports Zone, Tuesdays, 6 – 8 pm, www.caribzone.com Jamaica’s dominance at the Penn Relays carnival THE MONTHLY NORTH AMERICA GLEANER
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