RACE TO THE FINISH AT PENN RELAYS
By: Hope Wilkos, Writer/Blogger
This past weekend, sports fans thrilled to the energy and excitement that overtook Franklin Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania as they came out with enthusiasm for the 119th Penn Relays held from April 25 – April 27, 2013.
It is the time of year that brings out the best athletes in track and field to the largest and oldest competition in the United States. Hundreds of thousands of fans and spectators turn out to support their favorite athlete and team and soak up the warm sunshine in the process.
The feeling on the field is almost indescribable as colleges from all throughout the nation compete to ultimately make it to the top of the ranks. The competitors also come from as far away as Barbados, Grenada, Jamaica, South Africa, Trinidad, US Virgin Islands and Zimbabwe. This is an accomplishment that takes days, months, years of practice and dedication.
This year a new record was set at the Penn Relays as Sean McGorty, a senior at Chantilly High, raced to the finish line beating all records. He finished the race in an unbelievable 4 minutes and 4.47 seconds. Another superstar was Loudoun County’s Patrick Joseph who took third place with quite a finish.
One of the most exhilirating competitions of the Relays was the “USA vs. The World” showcase series on Saturday, April 27, 2013. The women proved that they have what it takes to become champions. Setting another record first was Alysia Montano, Lea Wallace, Brenda Martinez and Ajee Wilson. Their ‘Team USA Red’ rose to the top in a stiff competition against a strong Kenyan team and ‘Team USA Blue’. Montano is simply amazing as a four-time outdoor national champion and fifth-place finisher at the London Olympics.
In the women’s 400 relay, Jamaica got a big anchor leg from Olympic gold medalist Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce to edge two U.S. teams. The win snapped the Americans’ eight-year stranglehold on the race and thrilled the scores of boisterous Jamaican fans who made the annual trek to Philadelphia
Penn State’s Roby Creese claimed victory as he won the College Men’s Distance Relay for the Nittany Lions.
Teams were well represented in the 300m Steeplechase event and it was an arousing contention where dexterity was a quality that these athletes seemed to really possess.
Each segment kept the viewers on the edge of their seats. These sports fans just couldn’t seem to get enough. If you are interested in all the results of the three-day event, go to: http://pennrelaysonline.com/Results/schedule.aspx.
PHOTO CREDITS: PennRelaysOnLine.com
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