Hydel close Penns in dominant fashion

PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania:

HYDEL HIGH School’s girls, competing in front of a large crowd at the 127th staging of the Penn Relays here, gave Jamaican fans much to celebrate after victories in the 4x100 and 4x400 metres saw them leave the Carnival as the most successful Jamaican team over the three days.

In the first final of yesterday’s final day involving Jamaican teams, pre-race favourite Hydel continued their good form in the 4x100 metres relay through the quartet of Alana Reid, Oneika McAnnuff, Shemonique Hazle, and Aaliyah Baker.

Defending champions Edwin Allen, who were seeking to make it eight wins in a row, failed to finish. After a blazing start from Serena Cole on the opening leg, there was a botched pass to Theianna Lee Terrelonge.

The mishap opened a window of opportunity for Bullis High School out of Maryland, the Americans finishing second in 45.59 seconds. St Jago High School were third in 45.98 seconds, while Wolmer’s Girls School were eighth in 52.32 seconds.

Head coach of Hydel, Corey Bennett, was very excited about his team’s first win in the event.

“Yes, we have been having a great year. God has blessed us as we have never won this one before. It is a good feeling. The weather was not good but we were able to come out and get a good time,” said Bennett, continuing to point out that the team was buoyed by its unbeaten record this season.

JA DOMINANCE

Jamaican teams dominated the international 4x100 metres relay, with Holmwood winning in 46.81 seconds ahead of St Mary High School, 46.85, and St Catherine High, third, 47.22.

Excelsior, 47.72, Manchester High, 47.77, and Holy Childhood, 49.38, ended sixth, seventh and ninth, respectively.

After playing second fiddle to Edwin Allen all season, Hydel picked up their second win on the day after a post-to-post victory in the High School Championships of America 4x400 metre relays.

The quartet of Aaliyah Baker, McAnnuff, Jody Ann Daley, and Danielle King stopped the clock at three minutes, 35.63 seconds to defend their title, making it three wins in a row in the event.

Edwin Allen, who had to compete without regular starter Natasha Fox, had to play catch up all the way and had to settle for second in 3:36.20, with Bullis third in 3:36.25. Holmwood, 3:43.13, and St Catherine High, 3:45.03, ended fourth and fifth.

Fox had to be taken to hospital just after seeing her team’s mishap in the 4x100 metres relay.

Bennett was pleased with another win.

“To win the 4x400, which we have not done all season, and to defend our title, is a very special feeling. We have done a little thing different this season just to get the best out of the legs, and the girls were focused because we have a good leader in McAnnuff and she settled the team a little bit,” said Bennett.

Like they did in 2013, Edwin Allen left empty-handed, proving no match for favourites in the 4x800, Union Catholic out of New Jersey, as they had to settle for second in eight minutes, 58.83 seconds.