The MileSplit Guide To Day 1 Of The Penn Relays

The Penn Relays Carnival
Johanna Gretschel


Penn Relays Champions

Championship of America Relay Finals
High School Girls Distance Medley Championship of America: Lake Braddock High School, Va., 11:36.52 (Samantha Schwers 3:41.09, Skyla Davidson 59.88, Shannon Browning 2:17.9, Kate Murphy 4:37.65)  post-race interview video

Individual Running Events
High School Girls 400m Hurdles Championship: Anna Cockrell, Providence Day, N.C., 57.38 post-race interview video
High School Girls 3K Championship: Weini Kelati, Heritage, Va., 9:19.91 post-race interview video
High School Girls Mile Run Championship: Sammy Watson, Rush-Henrietta, N.Y., 4:49.56 post-race interview video

Individual Field Events
High School Girls Discus Throw Championship: Shanice Love, Excelsior, JAM, 54.72m/179-6**
High School Girls Pole Vault Championship: Katie Jones, South Williamsport, PA, 3.97m/13-0.25
High School Girls Long Jump Championship: Tissanna Hickling, St. Jago, JAM, 5.86m/19-2.75
High School Girls Triple Jump Championship: Veronika Karpenko, State College, PA, 12.02m/39-5.25
High School Girls High Jump Championship: Erika Voyzey, Tyrone Area, PA, 1.71m/5-7.25
High School Girls Shot Put Championship: Alyssa Wilson, Donovan Catholic, NJ, 15.71m/51-6.5
High School Girls Javelin Throw Championship: Maura Fiamoncini, Mount Carmel, PA, 46.01m/150-11

**New Penn Relays Record

Race of the Day

High School Girls Distance Medley Relay Championship of America

Lake Braddock High School from Virginia was out for blood on Thursday night. After leaving New Balance Nationals Indoor just shy of a national title in the Distance Medley Relay, they set their sights on claiming top honors at the annual relay carnival at Franklin Field in Philadelphia.

The Bruins switched up their order from March: Samantha Schwers and Shannon Browning swapped each other for the 1200m and 800m legs, respectively, while Skyla Davidson and Kate Murphy resumed their roles in the 400m and 1600m.

At the final exchange, Saratoga Springs led the field thanks to a stellar 2:15 800m leg from Keellyn Cummings. It was up to super frosh Kelsey Chmiel to keep the train running through 1600m, but even the relay horse was not enough for all-time great prep miler Murphy.

The junior, who has run 4:39 for the full mile, split a stunning 4:37.65 to pull the Bruins into the top position. 

But Murphy let the race build some drama first, citing a too-quick start at New Balance as a learning lesson. She did not move into the lead until the bell lap, when she surged past Chmiel to cross the line in an overall winning time of 11:36.52 -- the fourth-fastest time in Penn Relays history and the quickest since Tatnall set the meet record of 11:28.86 in 2012.

Chmiel hung on to split 4:52.05 and nab runner-up honors for the Blue Streaks with an overall time of 11:46.84.

Quote of the Day

"OH! I didn't really care what it is, as long as I caught the gap. It is what it is, I don't care about time now, but... that's good."

- Kate Murphy after hearing she split 4:37 on the DMR anchor 
Watch the full interview here!

Championship Finals Tomorrow

High School Girls 4x800m Championship of America, 1:10 p.m. ET

1. Western Branch, VA, 9:10.39

2. Shenendehowa, NY, 9:11.03

3. Penn Wood, PA, 9:12.07

4. E.C. Glass, VA, 9:12.60

5. Edwin Allen, JAM, 9:12.65

6. Mamaroneck, NY, 9:13.5

7. North Penn, PA, 9:13.59

8. Holmwood Tech, JAM, 9:15.15

9. Long Beach Poly, CA, 9:15.95

10. Bronxville, NY, 9:17.93

11. West Springfield, PA, 9:18.14

12. Cardinal O'Hara, PA, 9:18.84

High School Girls 4x100m Championship of America 2:25 p.m. ET

1. Holmwood Tech, JAM, 45.64

2. Edwin Allen, JAM, 45.79

3. Nansemond River, VA, 46.55

4. Excelsior, JAM, 46.55

5. St. Catherine, JAM, 47.08

6. St. Augustine, BAH, 47.17

7. Green Island, JAM, 47.18

8. Cheltenham, PA, 47.38

High School Girls 4x400m Championship of America 4:20 p.m. ET

1. Bullis School, MD, 3:46.31

2. Holmwood Tech, JAM, 3:46.58

3. Union Catholic, NJ, 3:46.85

4. Nansemond River, VA, 3:46.87

5. Edwin Allen, JAM, 3:48.07

6. St. John's College, DC, 3:48.98

7. St. Elizabeth Tech, JAM, 3:50.19

8. Paul Robeson, NY, 3:50.54

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