The MileSplit Guide To Day 2 Of The Penn Relays

Apr 29, 2016

Penn Relays Champions

Championship of America Relay Finals
High School Girls 4x800m Championship of America - Shenendehowa, N.Y., 9:00.79 (Emily Crounse 2:18.36, Danielle Jordan 2:15.72, Julia Zachgo 2:16.54, Hannah Reale 2:10.17) post-race interview
High School Girls 4x100m Championship of America - Edwin Allen, JAM, 45.73 (Kasheika Cameron, Patrice Moody, Shellece Clark, Khamoy Farquharson) post-race interview
Top Americans: third, Nansemond River, Va., 46.26 (Morgan Towe, Syaira Richardson, Brandeé Johnson, Dajaé Goulet)
High School Girls 4x400m Championship of America - Edwin Allen, JAM, 3:40.88 (Janiel Moore 56.4, Davia Smith 56.0, Shannon Kalawan 53.69, Patrice Moody 54.73)
Top Americans: third, Union Catholic, N.J., 3:42.59 (Tia Livingston 57.8, Amari Onque-Shabazz 55.1, Cassandra Lamadieu 57.59, Sydney McLaughlin 52.12) post-race interview
High School Boys Distance Medley Relay Championship of America - Loudon Valley, Va., 10:00.004 post-race interview

Individual Running Events
High School Boys Mile Run Championship - Josh Hoey, Downingtown West, Pa., 4:11.90
High School Boys 3K Championship - Eric van der Els, Brien McMahon, Conn., 8:20.11 post-race interview

Individual Field Events
High School Boys Discus Throw Championship - Kino Dunkley, Munro College, JAM, 57.80m/189-11
High School Boys Javelin Throw Championship - Liam Christensen, Academic Magnet, S.C., 66.81m/219-2
High School Boys Shot Put Championship - Jordan Geist, Knoch Senior, Pa., 22.27m/73-0.75**

** New Penn Relays Record

Race of the Day

High School Boys Distance Medley Relay Championship of America

Friday night's marquee prep race at The Penn Relays had a national record holder, a fall, a kick and an eternal ten seconds during which no one knew who won.

At the gun, all eyes were on the gold singlets of indoor national champions Loudon Valley from Virginia. But sophomore Colton Bogucki stumbled in the opening 200m and fell to the back of the fourteen team field. Would the favorites lose? Or did their anchor, national indoor mile record holder Drew Hunter, finally have a challenge?

New Jersey's River Dell Regional, the runners-up at indoor nationals, and Rhode Island's La Salle Academy, the defending Penn Relays champions, took pacing duties up front. Colin Daly of River Dell and David Principe, Jr. pulled away from the pack in their third lap and handed the baton off just over 3:01.

Conor Riegel got the slight advantage for River Dell on the 400m leg (52.49), but La Salle's Matt Bouthillette blew the race open to a one-man show with an 800m split of 1:55.59.

Bouthillette handed the baton to Jack Salisbury, a 4:06 miler and his future teammate at Georgetown University, with about 10-second advantage on Hunter.

Would it be enough?

The University of Oregon recruit, who has won two individual titles in back-to-back years at Franklin Field in the 3K and Mile, later said he told himself to "just put my head down and go."

"I had no idea what splits I was running, just [wanted to] pass as many people as possible... I knew I was gaining, [but I] wanted to save a gear and not jeopardize my last 200 meters."

He split about 57 seconds for the opening quarter, then 2:00 at 800m. At the bell lap, he was within striking distance to Salisbury, who took three glances back to gauge his lead.

It was not until the final 200m that Hunter pulled even with Salisbury but as the two seniors drove home onto the backstretch, neither gave an inch. They crossed the line in a photo finish at 10:00.01.

After a brief moment of confusion wherein the field announcer simply said "La Salle!", the scoreboard read:

1. Loudon Valley, 10:00.01

2. La Salle Academy, 10:00.01

The times rank third- and fourth-fastest in Penn Relays history.

Hunter split 4:00.73; Salisbury split 4:09.76. La Salle's time is a new Rhode Island state record.

Quote of the Day

I got clipped in the first couple steps of the lead off yesterday and I got 10 stitches. They told me I wasn't allowed to run today. I cried... I was pretty upset. But I just said, 'I'm gonna do tomorrow and take it easy from there.' It does hurt a lot. But I'm okay!

- Shenendehowa 4x8 lead-off Emily Crounse on the row of 10 stitches up her leg. She split 2:18 for the Championship of America winning relay.
Watch the full interview here!