The 130th staging of the Penn Relays gets under way today at the historic Franklin Field Stadium in Philadelphia with high school girls set to take centre stage on the opening day of competition.
The girls return to competing on the first two days of competition after competing last year on the final two days due to a rotational system implemented in 2023.
As thousands of athletes and spectators converge for the three-day meet, fans can expect the usual high-quality performances and intense rivalries that have become synonymous with the prestigious relay carnival.
However, competitors will have to contend with cool conditions – temperatures expected to hover in the mid teens Celsius and the possibility of intermittent showers over the three days – which could play a factor in the outcome of some events.
Jamaican high school teams are once again expected to play a leading role, particular in the sprint relays, which they have traditionally dominated over the years.
Powerhouses such as Hydel and Edwin Allen will be the teams to watch once again in these events.
Today’s opening day will feature preliminary round action in the 4x100m, 4x400m and 4x800m relays as teams battle for spots in tomorrow’s finals. The top 12 teams on times will advance.
The 4x800m will get action under way today starting at 8:00 a.m. Jamaican time. Former champions, Edwin Allen and Sydney Pagon High will be the first Jamaican teams in action.
Last year’s runners up, Alphansus Davis will take to the track at 8:12 a.m., while Hydel and Convent of Mercy, Alpha will do the same at 8:23 a.m. Defending champions, IMG Academy out of Florida, will line up at the start at 8:34 a.m.
Defending champions Edwin Allen will lead over 25 Jamaican teams to contest the 4x100m relay preliminary round at 8:45 a.m. with Tacius Golding High being the first Jamaican team in action.
Edwin Allen are down to take the track at 11:25 a.m. Other top contending teams, St Jago, Wolmer’s Trust High School for Girls, Holmwood, and Hydel also down to compete around the same time.
The girl’s will close out preliminary action with the 4x400m relay.
In the field, the girls’ discus final will be the first to get under way at 8:00 a.m. and will feature Duonjah Shaw of Edwin Allen, Abigail Bennett of Merl Grove and the Immaculate pair of Jada Francis and Jamie Lee Tulloch.
Marla-Kay Lampart of Clarendon will lead competitors in the girls’ shot put final at 8:30 a.m. Accompanying her are, Sage Cruickshank of Convent of Mercy Academy (Alpha) and Gabriel Merchant of Vere Technical.
Zoelle Jane of Immaculate will contest the Javelin final at 9:00 a.m. with Rajana Pryce of Alpha taking on the long jump. Zavien Bernard goes in the triple jump and Sackoya Palmer of St Mary High tackles the high-jump bar.
