Penn Relays: North Penn girls reach 4x800 final
Uchechi Nwogwugwu and her teammates took second in their Championship of America heat.
The bus ride felt the same and the pre-race sights and sounds of the Penn Relays weren't nearly as overwhelming, but something happened to North Penn senior Uchechi Nwogwugwu on Thursday as the click-clack of her cleats ceased when she made it to the track.
A thin layer of bright green turf covers a 100-yard concrete runway that leads runners into a paddock, where they are herded before chasing glory.
Nwogwugwu, a three-year veteran of the Penn Relays at Franklin Field - soon to be her home track - was cool and collected on a sun-soaked day until her eyes saw that familiar hue.
"When we were on the bus I was like, 'Uh, just another race,' " said Nwogwugwu, a Penn recruit. "And I'm going here next year so it's [really] a home meet. Then once we got to the green floor, then I was like, 'OK, I'm really nervous!' Honestly, every time we come, it's this feeling all over again, like it's my first time. I think the only difference is that I know what to do more."
What Nwogwugwu did was help the Knights - despite a shake-up to their lineup - earn second place in the girls' 4x800-meter large schools heat. They finished in 9 minutes, 11.65 seconds and qualified for Friday's Championship of America for the third consecutive year.
The Jamaican school Edwin Allen took first place and will take the top time (8:56.75) into Friday's championship.
Nwogwugwu, the second leg, brought North Penn from near the middle of the pack to second place by the time she passed the baton to junior Ariana Gardizy.
The lead leg was run by sophomore Jenna Webb, while University of Pittsburgh-bound senior Mikaela Vlasic ran the anchor.
Webb, who competed for the first time at the Relays, has been with the group since last spring, but typically she has run the second leg with Gardizy leading off and Nwogwugwu and Vlasic closing the race.
"I was really nervous because I didn't really know what to expect," said Webb, who was praised by her three teammates for her performance under pressure.
On Friday, North Penn will compete against Ridge High from Basking Ridge, N.J., which won the 4x800 at the New Balance indoor nationals last month (9:01.64) while the Knights finished second (9:03.35).
Nwogwugwu said she has been pleased with her team's success in the last few seasons, but she relishes a rematch with Ridge.
"We're not here for fun," she said. "We're here to compete."
SoCal smile
Only a few months and about 3,000 miles separate Cheltenham senior track phenomenon Chanel Brissett from her collegiate career at the University of Southern California.
"I'm so excited for it," she said, smiling. "I love the warm weather, so it's going to be great for me."
But first, there's still high school business to attend to.
Thursday's sunny, warm conditions, however, did provide a glimpse into the future.
"To begin with," said Brissett after anchoring the Panthers' second-place 4x100 squad, "the weather is beautiful! I think it was a really good high for me at my last Penns. I'm just excited that we're running fast, the weather is good, and things are working out in our favor."
Last year, the Panthers also advanced, but the chilly weather provided challenges.
On Thursday, the Panthers finished second (45.87) behind Jamaica's Edwin Allen (44.76). The Championship of America will take place Friday afternoon.
Despite an injury to Brielle Lewis, Cheltenham received a boost from Ciani Fleming, who replaced Lewis for the second leg.
Bria Barnes ran leadoff and Alexis Crosby ran third.
"This team is phenomenal," Brissett said. "We had some changes in the relay . . . but it's working out. It's all great. We ran a fast time, so we're happy."
Novice hurdler
Look out for Swenson sophomore Jada Smith.
As a freshman, Smith won the Public League championship in the 400 and on Thursday competed for the first time in the 400-meter hurdles at the Penn Relays.
"I think it's a real difference," she said about the two races. "For one, you're jumping over stuff, so that makes it a little harder."
Neumann-Goretti's Sydni Townsend finished 10th overall (1:02.03), while Gabriella McDonald from Jamaica's Edwin Allen took first (58.65).
Smith's time of 1:02.92, a personal best, was good for 16th out of 22 finishers, which isn't bad for someone just learning the hurdles.
One of her coaches, William Mayer, said Smith sometimes alternates which leg she uses to jump over the hurdles. Most runners, he said, use the same leg each time.
"Usually, it could take seconds off your time because of comfortablility and so it might slow you down, but she doesn't," he said. "She attacks the hurdles and that's all we can ask for."
Goldstein takes third
Germantown Academy's Abbe Goldstein finished third in the girls' mile run championship with a time of 4:54.04. Bedford's Leya Salis took the title (4:52.95.?
@AceCarterINQ