Wins for Edwin Allen, Vere

Raymond Graham, Gleaner Writer

FRZANKLIN FIELD, Pennsylvania:EDWIN ALLEN High and Vere Technical warmed the hearts of thousands of Jamaicans on a chilly afternoon at the 117th Penn Relays with a win each yesterday.

A powerful 2.03.17 leg by 400m hurdles winner, Ristananna Tracey, carried Edwin Allen to victory in the 4x800 metres while Vere triumphed in the 4x400 metres.

Edwin Allen clocked 8:39.22 in the 4x800m, finishing more than 20 seconds ahead of California's Long Beach Poly, 8:59.72, while Holmwood Technical had to settle for third in 9:05.32.

Coach Michael Dyke of Edwin Allen, who was having his fourth success in the event, had mixed feelings about his team's success.

"I am happy for the win but I am slightly disappointed because we came for the record and we knew we had the goods, but with these conditions we cannot complain and to record the second fastest time in the event at Penns is a great achievement," said Dyke.

Vere remained unbeaten in the 4x400 metres this season as they captured their first win in this event for over 17 years. The quartet of Olivia James, Yanique McNeil, Chantal Duncan and Shericka Jackson who was too much for the opposition as they won in 3:37.79. Holmwood, who ended the meet without a win, were second in 3:40.83 while Edwin Allen took third in 3:40.45.

There was no luck for Jamaica in the 4x100 metres Championship of America final. Long Beach Poly out of California led all the way for a surprisingly easy victory as they stopped the clock in 45.23 seconds. The youthful Wolmer's Girls' team, with Janiel Smith running a solid anchor leg, was the best of the Jamaican teams as they finished second in 45.86. Last year's second-place finishers, Herbert Morrison Technical, were third in 45.91. Edwin Allen (46.02) and Vere Technical (46.03) finished fifth and sixth with Camperdown ending seventh in 47.13.

impressive form

Among the boys, National Junior record holder for the discus, Calabar's Traves Smikle, continued his impressive form in the event. Fresh off his win at the Carifta Games he wrote his name in the record books as he erased the one-year-old record of 58.50 metres, set by his former teammate Chad Wright, with a new mark of 69.45 metres.

In the shot put it was second and third for Jamaica. Munro College's Emmanuel Onyia had a heave of 19.93m for second while Carfta champion Ashinia Miller of Calabar had to settle for third with 19.76m. Nikk Venna of Morristown High in New Jersey won with a throw of 22.18 metres.

Several Jamaican boys' schools will be on the track today in the 4x800m and 4x100m.

Munro sent a strong message to rivals in the 4x100m when they clocked the fastest time, 40.95 seconds, to win their heat and are favourites to win today.