Girls show form at the Penn Relays in Philadelphia
Penn Relays 2011 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania April 28-30, 2011 by Calvin Morris
The 117th edition of the Penn Relays Carnival - as in recent years, featured six relays (among the hundreds track and field events held at the three day event) titled USA vs. the World. The name always seemed misleading. Most of the countries in the world are not represented. Further, the United States usually entered two teams in each event. It was a blatant, if not humorous, attempt to portray an athletic Goliath, the USA, as David. The actual David and only consistent competitor was the tiny Caribbean island of Jamaica.
Affectionately called the “Sprint Factory”, Jamaica has competed successfully with the USA and the rest of the world for over a half-century in the short races. Fan support at the Penn Relays was traditionally remarkable as the yellow, black and green colors of the Jamaican flag predominated among the spectators. Franklin Field may be located in Philadelphia but inside the stadium it was closer to Kingston, Jamaica.
Three of the USA vs the World relays were women's events. The first contested was the Women's Sprint Medley – consisting of a 400 meter leg, two 200 meter legs. The sprint medley competitors were Jamaica, Nigeria, Russia and USA Blue and USA Red. The Jamaican team of Simone Facey, Kerron Stewart, Melaine Walker and Kenia Sinclair prevailed with a time of 3:34.64. USA Red was second in 3:37.81; followed by USA Blue, 3:43.17; Russia, 3:44.04 and Nigeria 3:47.09.
The women's 4x100 teams were Brazil, Caribbean All-Stars Germany, Jamaica, USA Blue and USA Red. The winner was the USA Red Team of Lauryn Williams, Allyson Felix, Marshevet Myers and Carmelita Jeter in 42.28. USA Blue was second in 42.64; followed by Jamaica 42.74; Caribbean All-Stars 43.38; Brazil 43.77 and Germany 43.89.
The women's 4x400 teams were All Stars, Canada, Grenada, Jamaica, USA Red and USA Blue. The USA Red team of Debbie Dunn, Allyson Felix, Natasha Hastings and Sanya Richards-Ross took first with 3:22.92. USA Blue was second in 3:23.17; followed by Jamaica 3:23.82; All Stars, 3:23.82; Canada 3:33.36 and Grenada, 3:36.03
It is relatively early in the outdoor track season that will culminate in the IAAF World Championships on August 27 thru September 4, 2011. Judging from the number of Olympic and World Cup medalists participating at the Penn Relays, many of these same athletes will be competing Daegu, South Korea.
For complete Penn Relays results, visit thepennrelays.com/Results. Additional photographs may be viewed at whatitlooklike.shutterfly.com.
