High School Storylines at the Penn Relays

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

Here are some of the High School Storylines we’re following this week at the 124th Penn Relays in Philadelphia. 

Programming Note: You can watch the live Webcast here of the meet Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The USATF.TV broadcast and on-demand videos will only be available for USATF.TV +PLUS subscribers. Subscribe here.  

Bullis Versus The Jamaicans

It all begins Thursday when Bullis MD’s Masai Russell takes on Sanique Walker of Vere Tech in the girls 400-meter hurdles. It will be the first of many times that the powerhouse sprint program from the D.C. area tests its mettle against the top teams from Jamaica. 

For Russell, who will no doubt be on some of Bullis’ best relays this weekend, the hurdles event is a great way to get started. She ran a US#1 40.70 for the 300-meter hurdles April 14 at the Bullis Invitational. She ran 57.55 last year for second at USATF Juniors and she took bronze with the identical time at the Pan Am U20 Championships.

Walker was the silver medalist at last year’s IAAF World U-18 Championships in Nairobi, running 58.27 seconds in the 400 hurdles.

It should be the first of many great tests for the Bullis program, which will be vying for top American honors in a variety of relay events and have an eye on competing in the championship races against the best Jamaican outfits. 

Jamaican Stars

Remember the Calabar boys going 39.00 last year in the 4x100 championship? Crazy fast, and that’s far superior to the all-time U.S. prep record of 39.76 set in 1998 by Wyatt TX. 

The Jamaican power programs – Calabar, St. Jago, Vere Tech,  Edwin Allen, Kingston College, Wolmer's – are loaded with sprint talent.

Although we haven’t seen the individual names attached to the relay entries, there are three athletes to keep an eye out for. 

St. Elizabeth Tech is entered in the 4x100 relay, so that means there’s a chance Sachin Dennis is involved. Dennis ran 10.20 seconds for 100 meters in March for an age 15 world record. 

Christopher Taylor of Calabar was part of the historic 39.00/3:08.59 record-setting relay double last year. He was the gold medalist in the 200 meters at the Pan Am U-20 Championships in Peru last summer. The 18-year old is in his final season running for Calabar. 

Kevona Davis of Edwin Allen might be Jamaica’s next big thing in women’s sprinting. She ran 22.72 to win the 200 at the Jamaican High School Championships last month. 

Hoey Stepping Up 

Josh Hoey of Bishop Shanahan PA already made waves this year by running 1:47.67 to crush Robby Andrews’ all-time indoor record in the 800 meters. Last weekend at the 60th Mt. SAC Relays, he popped a big outdoor opener by running 1:48.72 competing against collegiate and pro athletes. 

At Penn Relays, Hoey is stepping up to the mile and will try to replicate his victory at the NYRR Millrose Games (4:07.42). 

Sean McGorty’s 2013 Penn Relays record of 4:04.47 could be in jeopardy unless Friday’s forecasted rain gets in the way. 

Hoey looks the like the class of the field, which also includes 800-meter standout Luis Peralta of Passaic NJ. Peralta won a Dominican national title earlier this month when he ran 1:50.62.

The field also has Cameron Ponder of Mount Tabor NC, Ryan Lockett of Poolesville MD and Drew Maher of Shore Regional NJ. Also, keep an eye on Robert Miranda, who is making the trip out from Menlo CA. Miranda ran 4:14.02 for fourth place Friday at Mt. SAC.

Girls Distance Races Wide Open 

The absence of North Rockland NY, and particularly sophomore sensation Katelyn Tuohy, opens up the door to opportunity for some of the top runners on the East coast. 

In Thursday’s 3,000 meters, New Balance Nationals Indoor 5,000-meter champ Jacqueline Gaughan of Exeter NH probably rates a slight favorite. She will contend with a strong field that includes Brooke Rauber of Tully NY, Reilly Siebert of Syosset NY, Lydia Olivere of Padua DE and Katherine Lee of Shoreham-Wading River NY. 

In the mile, which comes right after the 3,000, Marlee Starliper of Northern PA and Victoria Starcher of Ripley WV are the top entrants. 

Thomas Takes on Jamaicans in Long Jump

Lanae-Tava Thomas from Rush-Henrietta NY (Rochester) is one of the best high school long jumper in the country. The New York state champ had two meets indoors where she surpassed 21 feet. 

She’ll make her outdoor debut in the event at Penn Relays and will go against Jamaicans Annia Ashley of Edwin Allen and Susan Francis of Holmwood Tech. 

Ashley has jumped 20-8 and Francis has gone 20-4.50.

Long Beach Poly Returns  

The California sprint powerhouse from Long Beach Poly has long been a fixture at Penn Relays. For many years, the Jackrabbits were the team that gave American fans their best hope against the Jamaicans. 

This year’s girls 4x100 relay has been getting better each week. The lineup of Kenya Payne, Saundria Martin, Jaelyn Predium and Ariyonna Augustine ran 45.97 in the 4x100 relay last week at Mt. SAC. 

Look for Bullis, Long Beach Poly, Western Branch VA and a few others among the hundreds of teams competing to be the leading U.S. contenders in the sprint relays. 

Distance Medley Relays

The DMRs are always one of the highlights a Penn, often with a supremely talented anchor trying to overcome some deficit to pull out a win. The Saratoga Springs NY girls have Kelsey Chmiel on the final 1,600-meter carry, which automatically makes it the favorite to win the title. Look for Chmiel to go low 4:40s, something no other anchor can do.

Loudoun Valley VA will look to continue its dominance of the school year in all things team distance-related. The Nike Cross Nationals champions and New Balance Nationals Indoor champions are looking for their second title in three years. 

Devin Hart Leads Boys 3K field

Devin Hart of Point Pleasant Boro NJ, the New Jersey Meet of Champions indoor 3,200 champion, could be primed to add a Penn Relays title. His competition includes Rusty Kujdych of Neshaminy PA, a fellow Foot Locker Finalist.