St. Joe's Prep breaks Philadelphia Catholic League record in 4x4

By Brian Towey of DyeStat

PHILADELPHIA -- This season has been a succession of shining moments for the St. Joseph's Prep PA 4x400 relay. But never have the Philadelphians shone brighter than on their home stage, in the Penn Relays Philadelphia Catholic League 4x400.

The quartet of sophomore Salim Epps and seniors Calvin Willie, Bobby Dupell III and Miles Green, running in front of a booming crowd and on national television, ran 3:15.56 and set a new Philadelphia Catholic League record.

"They hyped us up before the race," said Green, who ran a 48.05 anchor leg following a 52.30 third-place finish in the 400-meter hurdles earlier in the morning. "They talked about our PR. Once they did that, we had to show what we could do."

St. Joseph's time held up as the fastest U.S. time of the meet until East Orange NJ ran 3:14.

The indoor and outdoor seasons for St. Joseph's have been marked by a series of breakthroughs, beginning Jan. 20 at the New Balance Games at the Armory, when the group ran 3:18.23.

"We were there all day, from 8:30 (a.m.) until 9:30 (p.m.)," Dupell said. "It was a breakthrough. It was like, 'We can do this.'"

They followed up with a Pennsylvania state championship in the 4x400, and later, a 3:16.08 NBNI title, capped by Green's 46-point anchor.

Saturday's accomplishment was especially meaningful, because it was in Philadelphia, in front of the home crowd, against their Catholic League rivals. When Green brought the stick home for the win it showed how far this group had come.

"For us to go out and represent Philly like that (was special)," Green said. "And we did it for the Catholic League."