Penn Relays highlights: Union Catholic wins girls 4x800 with epic performance
PHILADELPHIA – For years, Jamaican high school teams have dominated the girls 4x100, 4x400 and 4x800 at the Penn Relays. On Saturday, Union Catholic returned the favor.
In an epic effort, the Vikings routed the Jamaican teams and clocked the second-fastest time ever by an American schoolgirl 4x800 – an 8:44 that earns a high place in this prestigious meet’s pantheon.
Maameyaa Nyinah (2:12.3 leadoff split) and Jimmiea King (2:12.2) stayed right with Jamaican power Edwin Allen over the first two legs, then Kaleigh Gunsiorowski (2:10.6) broke the race open before anchor Peyton Hollis (2:09.7) hammered home the triumph.
The national record of 8:43 was set by Eleanor Roosevelt of Maryland at the 2008 Penn Relays. Union Catholic’s effort now ranks No. 2.
“We care about each other so much and we wanted this so bad,” Hollis said. “Even though it’s not a national record it’s so close. It’s insane.”
Here are more highlights for Central Jersey's high school track & field competitors.
O’Sullivan 2nd in pole vault
Hillsborough’s Brian O’Sullivan wasn’t at the top of his game in the boys pole vault, but he was still good enough to place second with a height of 15-8.25.
The Rutgers-bound senior, whose personal best is 16-6, cleared 15-8.25 on the third attempt before missing three times at 16-0. Kentucky’s Wyatt Stewart placed first with a sky-high height of 16-8.
Westfield 4th in distance medley
In the boys distance medley Championship of America, Westfield placed fourth in 10:17.40 with Liam Maurillo (3:07), Joseph Pierro (49.5), Jonathon Scalia (1:56.9) and Avery Keith (4:23.2) carrying the baton.
In the boys mile, Edison senior Akshay Vadul placed fourth in 4:15.36, earning a medal. Brian DiCola of Pennsylvania won in 4:11.23.
In the boys high jump, Linden’s Rabae Smith placed fourth with a height of 6-4. He also split 48.5 on the Tigers’ 4x400.
Piscataway advances in 4x100
It’s always a big deal to stick around an extra day at the Penn Relays. That means you accomplished something. Piscataway's boys 4x100 did just that.
The Chiefs qualified for the 4x100 Northeast final with an impressive time of 42.97 in Thursday’s trials. DeShaun Stephens, Dallas Jones, Xavien Dukes, Noah Grant comprised the quartet, which was the second-fastest New Jersey entrant in the race. Only Bergen Catholic (42.86) ran faster from the Garden State.
Top local times
Top boys 4x100 times: Piscataway 42.97; East Brunswick 43.23; Voorhees 43.44; Linden 43.54; Immaculata 43.86.
Top girls 4x100 times: Union Catholic 47.48; Scotch Plains-Fanwood 49.52; Rahway 50.03; Franklin 50.27; Montgomery 50.61.
Top boys 4x400 times: Union Catholic 3:20.15; Linden 3:21.70; South Brunswick 3:22.10; East Brunswick 3:24.57; Old Bridge 3:24.73.
Top girls 4x400 times: North Hunterdon 3:58.81; Union Catholic 3:58.89; Piscataway 4:00.00; South Brunswick 4:06.27; Hillsborough 4:06.37.
Top boys 4x800 times: Ridge 8:05.83; Metuchen 8:20.79.
Top girls 4x800 times: Union Catholic 9:11.26; Hillsborough 9:54.99.
Rutgers highlights
As usual, Rutgers sent a contingent to the meet. Sophomore Sincere Robinson placed fourth in the men’s long jump (24-2.25), junior Joshua Mather took fourth in the men’s javelin (225-0), junior Kristina Tossas placed fifth in the women’s long jump (19-11) and senior Jasmine Van Note – a Sayreville High School grad – finished sixth in the women’s shot put (52-6.75).
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Penn Relays highlights: Piscataway, Union Catholic, Hillsborough
