Hydel bring record-breaking close to Penns

HYDEL HIGH School recovered from losing their Championships of America 4x100-metre relay title in record-breaking fashion on the final day of action at the 129th staging of the Penn Relays at the Franklin Field Stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, yesterday.

After failing to hold on to their 4x100 relay title – losing to fellow Jamaican high school Edwin Allen, a pumped-up Hydel turned up for the final event of the day, the 4x400, stamping their authority with a new record of 3:30.42.

Hydel were breaking their own record, the mark of 3:32.77 set in 2022.

Just as importantly, Hydel’s win counted as their fourth in a row. Bullis, out of Maryland, were second in 3:33.30, while Edwin Allen were third in 3:36.14. Holmwood were fourth in 3:38.80, and Immaculate Conception sixth in 3:43.17.

Hydel made their intentions clear early as lead-off runner Natassia Fletcher gave them a flying start with a 52.38-second opening split. The experienced Abigail Campbell extended the lead on the second leg with a 52.7 split, ensuring smooth sailing for Sashana Johnson on third, and Jody Ann Daley on anchor.

Campbell, in her final year competing for Hydel, and young Fletcher spoke about their team’s big win.

“As usual, I knew it was go time, and I know my teammates well. I knew we were ready. We knew we were the best team coming to Penns, and winning and producing a school record – what else can we ask for?” said Campbell.

“I was not nervous as I knew what we had to do and I just came out there and followed the instructions of my coach,” said Fletcher.

Competing earlier in heavy rain, the Edwin Allen girls maintained their composure to capture the Championships of America 4x100-metre relay in a swift 44.23 seconds, returning to winning ways after their last victory two years ago.

Defending champions Hydel had to settle for second in 44.65, with Bullis High of Maryland third in 44.99. Holmwood Technical (45.51) and Wolmer’s Girls’ School (45.57), the other Jamaican teams in the final, ended fourth and fifth respectively.

Drawn in lane seven with Hydel behind them in lane six, Edwin Allen got a blinding start from Kerielle Etienne, who opened up the race with Jounee Armstrong extending the lead on the second leg. Renecia Edwards maintained the advantage on the third leg, keeping the lead for Alexxe Edwards on anchor, who powered the team to victory.

TENTH TITLE

The win marked Edwin Allen’s 10th title in the event at the championships. Their winning time was the third fastest ever at the event, behind their school’s previous best of 43.62 in 2019 and 43.96 in 2017.

After the win, head coach Michael Dyke was very pleased, saying he was always confident.

“For the past two years it was a drought, and we were determined that this year we would break that. We put the team together well, and we got a bullet start from Etienne,” said Dyke.

Despite the heavy rain during the race, Dyke said he was not perturbed. “When I saw the heavy rain, we were not bothered, as we train many times in conditions like this, and I knew it was to our advantage. We are extremely glad for the win, as our past students and supporters were getting impatient. We really wanted to deliver – especially for our principal, supporters, and team members back home,” said Dyke.

Former Championships of America winners, St Jago High, also left the meet with a win after taking the consolation International 4x100m event in 46.02 seconds, as Jamaican teams dominated. Excelsior (46.20s) were second, Vere Technical (47.30s), third, and Mount Alvernia, fourth in 47.49.

IMG Academy out of Florida foiled Jamaica’s attempted sweep of the relays, winning the Championships of America 4x800-metre relay in 8:40.51. Alphansus Davis, with a brilliant anchor leg from Alikay Reynolds, brought her team from well off the pace to finish second in 8:46.23, with Edwin Allen (8:46.57), and Holmwood (8:47.76) placing third and fourth, respectively.