2006 Penn Relays

April 27th - 29th, 2006

Franklin Field, University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA


Friday at Penn - Distance Surprises, Jamaican Celebration

Live Results - Highlights - Boys DMR - Boys Mile - Boys 3000m - Relay Heats - Field Events - Previews

Matt Centrowitz, Dominic DellaPelle Win 3k, Mile - Holmwood (JAM) Girls Sweep 3 Relays

  • Holmwood (JAM) girls 8:45.87 4x800; E. Roosevelt MD 3rd US#1 (#3 all-time) 8:53.12
  • Holmwood girls again in 4x1 - 44.56 - Bethel VA 2nd 46.74.
  • Holmwood girls one more time in 4x400 - 3:36.98; E. Roosevelt 2nd US#1 3:39.44.
  • 3K: Matt Centrowitz MD surprises Craig Forys NJ for the watch in 8:20.09.
  • Mile: Dominic DellaPelle DE, a jr., PRs to hold off Alex Bean NY in tactical 4:13.82
  • DMR: Fayetteville-Manlius NY races to US#1 10:06.76 win
  • Boys Heats: St. Jago (JAM) 41.02 4x1, Shaker NY 7:49.21 4x8.
Jake Walker PA leads Centrowitz and Craig Forys NJ in the 3k . Open Photo

Matt Centrowitz win 3K (what year is it again?)

Sister Lauren is on American record 4x1500 today as well

By Tim Fulton

Most distance running fans know the name even if they can’t rattle off the times.  Matt Centrowitz 1.0 is part of the distance running history of this country.  Centrowitz is a former US record holder at 5000m (13:12.91 in 1982) who qualified for the Moscow Olympics and now coaches American University.  But today he was just another proud father like so many others.  Today his kids made the headlines.

At 1:20 in the afternoon Stanford University was running an American record in the 4x1500m.  The team finished in 17:18.63, with Mr. Centrowitz’s daughter Lauren splitting an impressive 4:18.9 for the second leg.  A father-daughter American record holder - that was already a story. 

But when son Matt (Broadneck, MD) started kicking with 300m to go you could just see the headlines jumping off the page.  Pre race heavy favorite Craig Forys looked great throughout, sitting a little early on and taking the lead with a strong move with 800m left.  But Jake Walker (Lincoln, PA) and Centrowitz went with him.  And then it happened.  Centrowitz took off.  His stride opened up and his turnover quickened.  By the last turn it was a done deal.  Another Centrowitz was making headlines.

After the race, Matt admitted to really being going for second place.  That’s how big of a favorite everyone was making Forys.  Forys had “only” run 4:05 in the DMR twice this winter and had a 4:09 mile to his credit as well.  How could Centrowitz, who didn’t even make the fast section at NIN, beat him?

After not making that seeded section at NIN, Matt and his coaches decided to concentrate on this race.  That seems to have been a great decision.

“I was actually going to go with like 400 or 500m to go because I was feeling really good, but then (Walker) took the lead so I just figured ‘let me go with this guy.’”

As for his sister?  “I was really proud of Lauren today.  It’s a great feeling today for the family.  We’ve had some off days but this one of the days where we came through.”

It was a special day for the Centrowitz family and a special day for the track and field community as well.

Suffern's Kara McKenna, Shelby Greany,
Deahna Vinson and Caroline Heidt. Open Photo

 

Holmstead's Triple:

First the 4x800

8:45.87 is 5th best in meet history, best in 14 years
8:53.12 for E. Roosevelt is US#3 AT

By Tim Fulton

When a team from your country has won 19 of the last 20 titles in an event, it has to help your confidence.  Holmwood Tech made won its sixth title in the last nine years with their 8:45.87 performance.  After an opening leg of 2:13.4 by Eleanor Roosevelt’s Dominique Lockhart and 2:13.4 by Holmwood’s Vanessa Boyd, Edwin Allen got back in the mix with a strong carry by Nikita Taccey.  Roosevelt held the lead until 200m left in the 2nd leg due to Tasha Stanley splitting 2:15.2, but Jeraine Bolt opened a small gap on ER with her 2:14.4 effort.

But then came the leg that neither Roosevelt or Allen could match.  Holmwood’s Sanita Sutherland went out hard and held on for a 2:08.4 carry – the fastest of the meet this year, the 6th best ever here at Penn, and the fastest split in 12 years.  The gap build to near 50m with Bobby-gaye Wilkins on the anchor, and as Roosevelt and Edwin Allen were battling for 2nd, Holmwood made 8:45 look easy. 

Roosevelt stopped the clock at 8:53.12, the 3rd fastest time in US history. Their final two legs were Marika Walker’s 2:13.5 and Tameka Jameson’s 2:11.1.

One has to wonder if Roosevelt can break the US National record of 8:50.41 set by Boys and Girls (Brooklyn, NY) in 2002.  Roosevelt has shown super depth.  Recently they finished 1-2 in a meet running 9:13-9:14.  If they can get in a race with some of the top teams, like Suffern, NY, maybe it can happen.

Holmwood's Triple:

4x4: Sutherland Brings It Home

53.2 anchor looks easy

By Tim Fulton

They had already won this race three times since 2001, including the meet record of 3:34.75 they set that year.  And while they may have been just a little disappointed they couldn’t bust that record after running 3:33.28 in February, you couldn’t tell by the way they were celebrating.

You’ve probably heard the saying that nothing in life is certain except death and taxes.  You could almost throw in Jamaican dominance at Penn, too, especially when both Long Beach Wilson and Long Beach Poly pass on the meet.  But for Holmwood, it was just another title for the Jamaican school.  After all, Jamaica has won this race 15 of the last 21 years.

Holmwood’s Bobby-Gaye Wilkins led off with a 55.9 split, giving her team the lead for good.  Teammate Annastasia Le-Roy torched a 54.0 2nd leg and gave way to Schillonie Calvert, who took the baton with a slight lead as Eleanor Roosevelt MD was doing their best to hang on.

Roosevelt’s Doris Anvanwu (56.4), Elan Hilaire (54.3), and Tameka Jameson (54.4) did their best to give teammate Takecia Jameson a chance, but with the meet’s top relay performer Sanita Sutherland taking the stick for Holmwood, it was going to take a miracle.  Sutherland had “only” run 51.13 for the 400m this year.

Sutherland’s a lean runner who anchored the 4x800 to victory on Friday.  She took the stick and cruised a 53.2 split for the win.  Eleanor Roosevelt was charging down the straightaway, trying their hardest to crack 3:40 – and they did just that, stopping the clock at a US#1 3:39.44.  Roosevelt now ranks as the 12th fastest school in US history.

More stories and pics to come

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(more stories and pics to come)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

Thursday's Prep Previews (from Walt Murphy's Preview)

400H - 4x800 - 4x100 - 4x400 - Distance Events - Field Events

4.High School Girls 400m-hurdles 10:20am
Krystal Cantey(#1), a senior at Winslow Township(NJ), finished 3rd last year, then went on to win at the Nike Outdoor Championships over West Catholic’s Nicole Leach, who had won at Penn with a Carnival Record of 57.84. Cantey ran 56.83 last year and will have to be at her best to hold off Jamaican Champion Sherene Pinnock(#2-Edwin Allen), who will be trying to forget last year’s Relays, when she was disqualified for a false start. Pinnock, who finished 2nd to Leach (now a frosh at UCLA) in 2004, ran 57.03 at the Jamaican Champs and 57.50 on April 16 to win at the Carifta Games.

5-8. High School Girls 4x800

The 12 fastest teams from the four 4x800 races advance to the Championship Final on Friday (Event #124-12:40pm). 9:25.46(2005) and 9:23.86(2004) were the slowest qualifying times the last two years. Suffern(NY), which ran 8:59.37 indoors, has chosen to run the distance medley, leaving the door open for a possible Jamaican sweep. Holmwood Tech and Edwin Allen can field teams that are capable of running under 8:50 in the final and St.Jago has run 9:02.93 this year. 15. “Small Schools” 10:30am. Heat One-Holmwood Tech(AH) returns Bobbi-Gaye Wilkins and Vanessa Boyd from last year’s winning team and could win the final without 400-specialist Sonita Sutherland, who ran 2:08.80 at the Jamaican Champs. The school ran 8:47.26 without SUtherland back in February. Other potential finalists include Bay Shore,NY(AO-9:12.14i) and Bronxville,NY(AN-9:24.92i).

6.“Small Schools” 10:40am. Heat Two--Leading teams are Jamaica’s Vere Tech(BB), which has run 9:02.93 this year, and Pope John XXIII,NJ(BA), which ran 9:16.15 indoors.

7.“Large Schools” 10:50am. Heat One- Edwin Allen (CK) won this event in 2003 and 2004, but was barred from competing last year due to a rules infraction in 2004. They’ve already run 8:50.03 this year. Others who could make the final include Ward Melville,NY(CJ-9:13.31i) and Henderson-West Chester,PA(CA-9:23.27i) 8.“Large Schools” 11:00am. Heat Two-Possible finlaists include Roosevelt,MD(DJ-9:11.53i), Ridgefield,CT(DD-9:21.37i), Morris Knolls,NJ(DC), which returns 3 runners from last year’s 5th-place team, and Boys&Girls,NY(CA- 9:24.33i), the only U.S. team to win this race (2002) in the last 20 years.

9&10--.H.S. Girls 4x100 Heats 11:10am

The eight fastest teams from the “small” and ‘”large” school heats advance to the Championship Final on Friday (Event #138). Heats are run in alphabetical order. 47.76(2005) and 47.30(2004) were the slowesr qualifying times the last two years. Holmwood Tech(EF), 2nd last year, ran 44.88 in February and is co-favorite with Edwin Allen(ND), which ran 45.04 at the Jamaican Champs. Other potential Jamaican finalists include Manchester((FT), which ran 46.37 at the Jamaican Champs, The Queen’s School(VU/46.32) and defending champion St.Jago’s(JO). For the 2nd year in a row, Vere Tech(JAM), which had three different teams run 46+ at the Jamaican Champs, did not enter the event. Bethel,VA(NU), the top American team last year (4th), is led by Francena McCorory, who set U.S. high school records in the 300 and 400 during the indoor season.

13.-56. High School Girls 4x400 relays (heats) 1:15- 4:50pm

The eight fastest teams advance to the Championship Final on Friday (Event #176). 3:53.90(2005) and 3:49.51(2004) were the slowest times to make the final the last two years.

40.(3:30pm) The first of the “hot” races. Defender Holmwood Tech(F) ran a great 3:33.28 in February and 3:35.26 at the Jamaican Champs(A Holmwood foursome set the Carnival Record of 3:34.75 in 2001). Anchor Sanita Sutherland has run 51.13 for 400-meters this year. Other potential finalists: The Queen’s School, 5th last year, ran 3:46.54 at the Jamaican Champs, and Roosevelt,MD (J) and East Orange,NJ(K), ran 3:48.04 and 3:49.50, respectively, during the insoor season.

41.(3:35pm) Edwin Allen(J), which ran 3:38.29 at the Jamaican Champs, is led by Sherene Pinnock, who might have already won the 400-hurdles earlier in the day. Allen finished 2nd last year and has never won this event at Penn. Bethel,VA(H), returns 3 of the 4 runners from last year’s 4th-place team, with Francena McCorory leading the way. McCorory set U.S. National H.S. records in the 300(36.96) and 400(51.93) during the indoor season. The Hampton-bound senior hopes to own her own funeral home some day! ANother good individual to watch is Gabby Mayo (Southeast,NC-C), who was 2nd in the 60-hurdles and 5th in the 200 at the National Indoor Scholastics.

42(3:40pm) Manchester(D), 6th last year, ran 3:44.65 at the Jamaican Champs, while Menchville,VA(C), ran 3:51.19 indoors.

43(3:45pm) Vere Tech(G) ran 3:39.04 at the Jamaican Champs. Vere won this event 9 years in a row from 1986-1994, but hasn’t won since then. Boys&Girls,NY(K) ran 3:49.18 nindoors.

54(4:40pm) “South Jersey League” Krystal Cantey, one of the favorites to win the 400-hurdles earlier in the day, will be running for Winslow Township,NJ(M). Woodrow Wilson(J) ran 3:52.55 to win the Indoor Eastern States title.

55.(4:45pm) “Philadelphia Catholic Girls”--Superstar Nicole Leach is now a frosh at UCLA, but West Catholic(F), led by Kneshia Sheard and Latavia Thomas, still has the talent to make the Championship Final for the 4th year in a row. They finished 3rd last year and had a best of 3:47.91 this past indoor season.

74. H.S. Girls Distance Medley 6:35pm
Excellent field. Warwick Valley,NY(B-11:45.97i) is the defending champion, but anchor Aislinn Ryann has a completely different supporting cast this year. Suffern,NY(A) had the fastest indoor times in the U.S. in the 4x800(8:59.37) and the DMR(11:35.74), and decided to go for the longer race at Penn. They will be led by frosh Shelby Greany and senior Kara McKenna. Other U.S. contenders include 2004 winner Saratoga Springs,NY(D-12:00.17), with Lindsey Ferguson and Hannah Davidson (1-2 in the 3000 last year) leading the way, and Roxbury,NJ(C-11:48.02i), with sub- 5 miler Jenn Ennis on the anchor. A possible contender is Jamaica’s Vere Tech(E), with Stacey Bell on the anchor. Bell ran 2:09.40(800) and 4:39.17(1500) at the Jamaican Champs. Vere won this event the first six years it was contested (1990-1995) and set the Carnival Record of 11:40.51 in 1992. Conestoga,PA(L) will be anchored by 4:56 miler Liz Costello and Ocean City,NJ(M) will have Brittany Sedberry, who passed up a chance to win the 3000 to help her team here.

75. High School Girls Mile 6:50pm This appears to be a wide-open race. Danielle Tauro (#3-Southern Regional,NJ) was 2nd last year and was a come-from-behind winner at the Millrose Games. Brittany Sheffey (#1-Bellport,NY), who was 4th last year, edged NY rival Kristy Longman (#2- Sayville,NY) in the 1000 at the NY Indoor State meet (2:51.39- 2:51.44) and in the mile at the National Indoor Scholastics (4:50.10-4:50.11). Sarah Morrison (#4-Chambersburg,PA) ran 4:54.05 to win the mile at the Pennsylvania Indoor State Meet. Others to watch include Bridget Franek (#10-Crestwood,OH), who was 3rd last year, Katie Doswell (#8-St.Catherine’s,VA), with an indoor best of 4:57.68, and Sarah McCurdy(#9-Bay Shore,NY), who ran 4:48.84 indoors.

76. High School Girls 3000-meters 6:55pm Ashley Higginson (#4-Colts Neck,NJ), the top returnee from last year’s race(3rd), ran a quick 10:36.64 to win the 3200 at the New Jersey Indoor State meet. She’ll be challenged by frosh teammate Briana Jackucewicz (#2) and junior Catherine White (#3-Northside,Va), who ran 10:32.27 for 2-miles to finish 2nd at the Nike Indoor Nationals.

285.High School Girls Javelin Noon Junior Elisha Jones (#3-Eisenhower,Pa) won last year with a throw of 143-10. Taniesha Blair(#1-Holmwood Tech) threw 152-11 to win at the Jamaican Champs. Junior Kacey James(#2-Carlisle,Pa) had a best of 147-6 in 2005.

286.High School Girls Pole Vault 1:00pm Lindsay Regan(#1-Easton Area,Pa) set the Relays Record of 12-7 1/2 to win in 2004, but finished 3rd last year. She had a best of 12-10 duing the indoor season. Other contenders include Natalie Gengel (#2-Princeton,NJ) and Brooke Borso (#3- Whitehall,Pa) both of whom jumped 12-3 indoors, and 12-footers Beki Finn (#4-Liberty,Pa) and Abby Schaffer (#5-Easton Area,Pa).

289.High School Girls Long Jump 1:45pm Jamaican champion Rosemarie White (#1-Holmwood Tech) has a best of 20-10 this season. (The Relays Record is 21-0). 16-year old Arantxa King(#2), a junior at Medford(Ma) H.S., has had a busy year. She jumped an indoor personal best of 20-3 in February, then represented her native Bermuda at the Commonwealth Games in Australia in March and at the Carifta Games in Guadeloupe earlier this month (where she won the silver medal). She was named Bermuda’s Female Athlete of the Year in 2005 after winning gold medals at the World Youth and Pan-American Junior Championships. She also set a National recod of 20-11 3/4.

290 High School Girls Triple Jump 1:45pm Defending champion Kimberly Williams(#1-Vere Tech,JA) jumped 43-3 at the Jamaican Champs and could chalenge the Relays Record of 42-2 3/4, set by Carlene Cummings (Dwight Morrow- Englewood,NJ) in 1999. She won last year with a jump of 40-11. Nakeisha Wineglass (#3-Hayfield,Va) jumped 39-6 indoors.

292.High School Girls High Jump 2:30pm Rachel Gehret (#1-Altoona Area,Pa) is the defending champion (5-8 1/2), but she’ll be facing a tough field that includes Ashley Gatling (#3-Deep Creek,Va/5-9), Erin Hannon (#2-Bradfod,Pa/5-8 3/4), Brittany Dexter (#5-Burnt Hills,NY/5-8), and Carin Knight (#6-New Rochelle,NY/5-8).

296. High School Girls Shot Put 4:00pm. Allyn Laughlin (#1-Center,Pa) won the Pennsylvania Indoor State title with a throw of 47-9 3/4. Canada’s Kaitlyn Andrews (#2- Acton,ONT) has a best of 46-9 and was 2nd at the National Indoor Scholastics. Karen Shump (#3-Penncrest,Pa) was 2nd to Laughlin at State with a best of 46-7 1/2.

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