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PHILADELPHIA—The renowned Penn Relays Carnival, a staple in American track and field, showcased an impressive slate of performances this weekend.
From thrilling collegiate competitions to high school prodigies shining bright, and Olympians pushing themselves to the limit, here’s a recap of the top five highlights from the 129th Penn Relays Carnival held over three days at Franklin Field.
Nathan Green Leads Washington to Distance Double in Championship of America
In March, the University of Washington’s men narrowly missed a remarkable sixth consecutive title in either the mile or 1,500 meters during the NCAA Indoor Championships.
Despite a strong showing, senior Nathan Green, the 2023 NCAA outdoor 1,500 meters winner, finished second, which left him hungry for redemption.
Competing at the Penn Relays, Green not only aimed to vindicate his previous performance, but he achieved stellar results. Anchoring the Huskies’ Championship of America distance medley relay (DMR) and the 4xmile relay, he delivered impressive performances.
On Friday, he fought through tough competition to finish the DMR in 9:25.22, clocking in at 3:55.15 for 1,600 meters. The following day, he surged from fourth to first, defeating NCAA 3K champion Ethan Strand with a final time of 16:24.61.
Quincy Wilson Shines with Historic Split in 4×400 Championship of America
Quincy Wilson’s outstanding performance in the boys 4×400 final for Bullis School will be long remembered.
His remarkable 43.99-second split, while awe-inspiring, fell short of securing victory for his team. Kingston College clinched their fourth consecutive win with a time of 3:05.93.
Nonetheless, Bullis School set a new high school national record with a time of 3:06.31, surpassing the previous record that had stood for four decades. Wilson’s effort showcased his talent—he went from fourth place on the final hand-off, skillfully passing his competitors.
Having previously set a record with a 44.37 split at the Penn Relays the year before, he exceeded his own benchmark. With another year ahead, Wilson will have a final opportunity to lead Bullis to a 4×400 victory; the last American team to achieve this was in 2007.
Robert Farken Edges Shane Cohen to Break Penn Relays 800 Meter Record
Shane Cohen has proven he thrives under pressure, evidenced by his late-race heroics in previous events. During this year’s Penn Relays, he found himself in a familiar position but fell just short.
Robert Farken, a seasoned competitor and three-time German champion, pulled off a narrow victory over Cohen, setting a new Penn Relays record with a time of 1:45.45. Cohen also made headlines, completing the race in 1:45.76, which was below the previous record.
Initially not leading the charge, both athletes displayed exceptional strategy in the final lap, highlighting their endurance. Cohen negative-split the second lap, but Farken’s finishing sprint was decisive, earning him a personal best while Cohen registered his top time of the season.
Margot Appleton Leads Virginia to Victory in Women’s Distance Medley Relay
While no records fell during the women’s distance medley relay, dramatic moments certainly captured the crowd’s attention.
Virginia’s Margot Appleton delivered a strong finish, overtaking Providence’s Kimberley May in the closing meters to secure victory for the Cavaliers with a time of 10:42.16. This marked a significant comeback after starting in fifth place.
As a talented 4:25.03 miler and school record-holder, Appleton’s performance was pivotal as she navigated past competitors from Providence, Georgetown, Clemson, and Penn State to clinch the championship.
The Hydel Girls’ Record-Setting Performance Concludes the Meet
The tradition of inviting top Jamaican high schools to the Penn Relays enhances the vibrant atmosphere both inside and outside the stadium, where fans and vendors create a unique cultural experience.
This year, Jamaica’s Hydel girls concluded the meet with a stunning display, dominating the competition in the girls Championship of America 4×400. They finished in 3:30.42, three seconds ahead of Bullis School, solidifying their status as one of the top teams.
This win marked Hydel’s fourth consecutive victory and their sixth in the last seven seasons, showcasing their consistent excellence and placing their time among the best in the world for 2025.
Source
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