FRANKLIN FIELD, Philadelphia
HYDEL HIGH completed five consecutive wins in the Championship of America high school girls’ 4×400 metres at the prestigious Penn Relays in Philadelphia yesterday.
The Ferry-based school clocked a season’s best 3:32.85, their third-fastest time ever, and in the process secured win number seven overall to go one better than Holmwood Technical. Vere Technical lead the way with 11 titles.
Edwin Allen were second in 3:33.24, Bullis High of Maryland placed third in 3:38.40, Holmwood fourth in 3:39.43 and Alphansus Davis High fifth in 3:50.48.
It was the brilliance of Nastassia Fletcher that brought victory for Hydel. Edwin Allen, with a good start by Shaniqua Cassanova, took the early lead ahead of Hydel. Kelly Ann Carr then extended Edwin Allen’s lead on the second leg. Kevongaye Fowler maintained that advantage on the third leg, handing the baton to Marria Crossfield 10 metres in front. However, the outstanding Fletcher cut into the lead early, went past her opponent with 150m to go, and then edged away in the closing stages to give her team victory and end her high school Penn Relays campaign in the event with her fourth win in a row. Sashashuntae Hemmings, Aaliah Mullings and Sashana Johnson were the other members of the successful Hydel team.
“We did not have too much depth this time around and we put everything into this one. We knew Edwin Allen would have led us, but we put Fletcher on the anchor leg and she followed the instructions to the ‘T, and to God be the glory for this one,” said winning coach Corey Bennett.
‘It was special’
Fletcher was also happy with winning run.
“This was my fourth win in the event and it was special. For me, it was all about execution on the final leg, and competing in only one relay, we put everything into it,” she said.
Edwin Allen made it win number 11 in the Championship of America 4x100m as the quartet of Moesha Gayle, who had a cracking start, Alexxe Henry, Kelly Ann Carr and Reneica Edwards proved too strong for their opponents. They successfully defended their title, winning in a season’s best 44.13 seconds.
A very youthful St Jago High team finished second in 45.08 with Pennsauken High of New Jersey third in 45.30 following the disqualification of Bullis. Excelsior High (45.61) were fourth, while Mt Alvernia High ended seventh in 45.94.
Coach Michael Dyke was not surprised with the comfortable win by his sprint team.
“We came here for this one from the outset as we knew it would have been easy. With the good early run by St Jago, I was not nervous, as I knew that once Reneica (Edwards) got the baton it would have been over,” said Dyke.
Carr, who ran the third leg and won her first Penn Relays title, was very excited.
“It feels so good to win one in my final year as I came out here to do my best and we were not playing. This one is for former teammate Taneisha Gayle and former hurdles coach Kirk Douglas, who I know are proud of me,” said Carr.
Despite having eight of the nine teams in the International consolation 4x100m final, Jamaica had to settle for second through ninth as St Augustine’s of the Bahamas came out on top, winning in 45.90. Convent of Mercy (Alpha) finished second in 46.42 just ahead of Holmwood in third with 46.77. William Knibb (47.11), Vere Technical (47.33), Penwood (47.44), Meadowbrook (48.07) and Manchester High (48.19) occupied the remaining positions.
In the 4x800m, Edwin Allen were the best-placed Jamaican team after finishing third in 8:56.07. Sydney Pagon High were fifth in 9:00.55 and Alphansus Davis sixth in 9:03.40.
Defending champions IMG Academy of Florida scored a runaway victory in 8:40.92, with William Penn Charter of Pennsylvania second in 8:49.73.
