Archive: April, 2008
Jonathan Tannenwald, Philly.com
So this wraps up another year of live Penn Relays coverage here on the blog. It was, just like last year, a real privilege to be able to do this.
For any number of reasons, the Penn Relays is one of those events that just keep drawing you back year after year. A number of people I know in the local media who cover this thing talk often of just how much they enjoy being here.
Believe me, they don't say the same thing about covering the Eagles or Phillies.
Jonathan Tannenwald, Philly.com
The two hours after the USA vs. the World competition ends are the classic example of a dénouement.
Sure, there are plenty of races, and a lot of the fans stick around for them. They even get pretty excited for the high school boy's 4x400-meter Championship of America.
But it's pretty clear that everyone, from fans to administrators, is exhausted. So as the infield slowly clears out, the mood becomes a lot more laid-back.
Jonathan Tannenwald, Philly.com
It is always one of the most popular Saturday events with the fans: the 100-meter dash for competitors age 75 and up.
Here was the order of finish, including the runners' ages:
1. Joe Summerlin, 76, Dallas Masters: 14.92
2. Bill Melville, 80, Midwest Masters: 15.41
3. Edward Cox, 80, Syracuse Chargers: 16.27
4. Hal Goolsby, 77, Unattached: 16.50
5. Wilton Gordon, 78, Glenarden TC: 16.58
6. Byford Reed, 78, Unattached: 16.62
7. John Darrell, 75, Unattached: 17.16
8. Richard Dillon, 75, Unattached: 17.65
9. Bert Lancaster, 79, Philadelphia Masters: 18.55
10. Bob Matteson, 91, Mass Velocity TC: 22.05
Jonathan Tannenwald, Philly.com
USA Blue rolled to a commanding victory in the women's 4x400-meter relay, its 3:22.16 beating Jamaica by a whopping 5.80 seconds.
Allyson Felix ran the decisive second leg in 50.0 seconds, with Sanya Richards anchoring in 50.3 seconds.
Jamaica was in third most of the time, but Kaliese Spencer ran a great anchor leg to overtake USA Red's LaShinda Demus in the home stretch.
Jonathan Tannenwald, Philly.com
West Catholic grad LaTavia Thomas just anchored LSU to victory in the college women's 4x800-meter Championship of America.
She had a nice battle going with Tennessee star Sarah Bowman going into the last turn, but Thomas pulled away in the end for a comfortable victory.
The Tigers' time was 8:30.98, the Volunteers' 8:32.60.
Jonathan Tannenwald, Philly.com
With a breathtaking burst of speed coming out of the final handoff, Texas A&M anchor Porscha Lucas raced away from LSU's Kelly Anne Baptiste to win the college women's 4x200-meter Championship of America.
The Aggies' final time was 1:31.21, to 1:31.77 for the Tigers.
I guess you can't win them all.
Jonathan Tannenwald, Philly.com
It's not much of a stretch to say that this was the one race the Jamaican fans craved victory in the most. Today, they finally got it.
The United States carried an 8-0 record into the men's 4x100-meter relay, and it looked for a while like they might stay undefeated.
Then Jamaica took over in the third leg. USA Blue's Shawn Crawford tried to make a charge in the anchor leg, but Jamaica's Dwight Thomas held on for perhaps the country's biggest ever Penn Relays victory.
Jonathan Tannenwald, Philly.com
Joe Juliano just pointed out something very interesting to me, which he had overheard just a few minutes before.
On page R38 of the program book, which is where all the women's USA vs. the World results are through the years, all of Marion Jones' wins have been voided.
For both the 4x100 and 4x200 teams in 2004, the listed winners have asterisks next to them.
Jonathan Tannenwald, Philly.com
We spend two and a half days building up to the climax of the Relays, and then it's all over 40 seconds.
It's time for one of the true marquee Saturday events, the USA vs. the World women's 4x100-meter relay. ESPN2's telecast has just hit the air, and figure that this will be the first race of the show.
But of course, we'll start when ESPN2 tells us to, so there are still a few minutes left before the gun.
Jonathan Tannenwald, Philly.com
St. Jago had the talent and the backing of the Jamaican fans, and a good lead heading into the final handoff. But Ackeem Smith collided with anchor Ryker Hilton during the baton exchange, and their title dreams went crashing to the ground -- literally.
Calabar seized the opportunity first, as Oshaine Bailey took the lead and held on for the win. The final time was 40.74 seconds.
As you might have figured out by reading the first paragraph, Yohan Blake did not run for St. Jago.
Reach Jonathan at jtannenwald@phillynews.com or 215-854-2330.
