Longest-standing relay record broken by Americans

Capped by Barber's anchor, 800-meter sprint medley standard eclipsed during USA vs. The World showcase at Penn Relays

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By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

The biggest reaction during the annual USA vs. The World showcase Saturday at the 123rd Penn Relays came from the large contingent of Jamaican fans when Olympic gold medalist Elaine Thompson rallied her 4x100-meter relay team to victory.

Fitzroy Dunkley also electrified the crowd of 47,420 at Franklin Field with his come-from-behind effort for the Jamaicans on the men's 4x400 relay.

But there was only relay that produced American and world records, and perhaps it was only fitting that it was anchored by Miki Barber, the veteran member of the Team USA roster.

Barber, 36, teamed with Morolake Akinosun, Dezerea Bryant and English Gardner to win the 800-meter sprint medley relay in 1 minute, 35.59 seconds, taking down the record of 1:36.79 that had stood since June 20, 1982.

Barber was 20 months old when Wilt's Athletic Club set the record in Knoxville TN. It has remained the oldest global relay standard in either gender since.

"When I'm out there on the track, I believe in myself and set personal goals, and I hit them," Barber said. "I'm like fine wine. I get better with age. I don't even have an age. I'm a unicorn."

Akinosun, Bryant and Gardner teamed with Kimberlyn Duncan on the USA Red lineup for the women's 4x100, with Thompson surging ahead in the final 50 meters to help Jamaica prevail by a 42.25 to 42.42 margin.

"It's a wonderful feeling to come out here in my second staging of USA against the world to bring my ladies safely around the track and come out on top for the relay," Thompson said. "It's important in track and field to not panic, run your own race, study your competitors and just go out there and execute."

There was also no sign of panic by Dunkley, who was competing on the final leg for the first time for the Jamaican national team after anchoring LSU to three NCAA 4x400 titles during his collegiate career. He gained the advantage against Calvin Smith with less than 25 meters remaining and lifted Jamaica to a 3:03.14 to 3:03.25 victory over USA Red.

"It means a lot to us. The U.S. has been dominating for the last couple of years, and it was time for us to take it from them," Dunkley said. "You have to be patient to come on strong at the finish line. The crowd makes this more special than any other track meet. The noise really helped me home and come in first."

USA Red and USA Blue placed first and second in the men's 1,600 sprint medley relay in 3:11.45 and 3:13.12, with former Texas A&M star Donavan Brazier and Penn State graduate Casimir Loxsom producing a thrilling battle in the final 800 meters.

Beejay Lee, Wallace Spearmon and Bryshon Nellum also competed for USA Red, with Remontay McClain, Markesh Woodson and Reggie Wyatt running for USA Blue.

Nellum, who anchored Long Beach Poly CA past Yohan Blake and St. Jago of Jamaica 3:09.89 to 3:10.43 in the most memorable Championship of America boys 4x400 final in meet history in 2007, always appreciates the opportunity to return to the site one of his greatest career triumphs at Franklin Field.

"The crowd here is just amazing," Nellum said. "Every time I come out here and run and compete, they bring up 2007 and that just gets me motivated at the start of the race."

With the Americans winning the men's 4x100 and sweeping the sprint medley relays, the Jamaicans responded with victories in both 4x400 relays, including Janieve Russell holding off Natasha Hastings on the anchor in a 3:28.32 to 3:29.30 triumph.

"Because of the crowd and the vibe they were giving me, they were going crazy, along with the thoughts my teammates gave me that we need to come through and we need to win, I'm just really pleased and glad that I did that for them," Russell said. "I'm really excited for Team Jamaica in the 4x400 in London. This means Jamaica is going to be strong and it's going to be a showdown at World Championships."

Leshon Collins, John Teeters, Lee and Spearmon helped USA Red win the men's 4x100 relay in 38.87, with a Jamaica lineup minus usual contributors Usain Bolt, Nickel Ashmeade, Asafa Powell and Blake taking second in 39.01. Collins also contributed to the Americans winning the event April 22 at the IAAF World Relays, teaming with Mike Rodgers, Ronnie Baker and Justin Gatlin to clock 38.43 in the Bahamas.