College teams face the fury of US opposition at Penns

SEVERAL OF the country’s collegiate teams were in attendance over the past weekend at the Penn Relays, competing against some of the powerhouses of the United States, including the University of Houston, Texas A&M University, South Florida, and Clemson.

The Maurice Wilson-conditioned G.C. Foster College male team out of Angels, Spanish Town, shone the brightest among the Jamaicans.

A year ago, G.C. Foster College were winners of the Men’s Championships of America 4x200-metre relays while they were second in the 4x100 and third in the 4x400s.

This time around, there were no podium-topping performances, the Jamaicans having to settle for two third-place finishes and an instance when they just missed out.

The quartet of Michael Sharpe, Odane McPherson, Jevaughn White, and Earle Simmonds ended third in the 4x100, clocking 39.86 seconds, behind winners South Florida, 39.34, and Houston, 39.35.

With Zandrion Barnes replacing Simmonds in the 4x200, the team was again third, clocking one minute, 23.74 seconds behind South Florida, 1:22.08, and Houston, 1:22.42. Their 4x400 team was fourth in 3:06.98, crossing the tape behind Texas A&M, who won in 3:01.52.

Former powerhouses at the Penn Relays, especially in the 4x100 metres, the University of Technology, just missed the final of the 4x200, ending fourth in their heat and 10th overall in 1:26.66.

There was some joy, however, for the Paul Francis-coached UTech team, with Krystal Sloley finishing second in the women’s collegiate 100-metre final, clocking 11.50 seconds. Iyana Carey of Texas Christian University won in 11.35. Sloley was also a member of the women’s 4x100 metres team that finished ninth in the final in 47.53 seconds.

There was big disappointment for The Mico University College. After good performances over the years at the Penn Relays, the team from Marescaux Road failed to spark.

Mico’s men, including intercollegiate 100-metre champion Rasheed Foster, failed to advance to the final in the 4x100 and 4x200 metres. The 4x100m team finished eighth in their heat in 41.35, only good enough for 22nd overall. Their 4x200m team also finished eighth in 1:27.63 for 16th overall.

Mico’s women’s 4x100 team did not fare better, ending fifth in their heat in 47.53 seconds for 13th overall.