Seven-time winners eye return to glory

JAMAICAN teams, led by seven-time champions Edwin Allen, will be hoping to get back on top of the podium in the girls' high schools' Championship of America 4x800m relay at this year's 130th staging of the event at Franklin Field in Philadelphia.

Edwin Allen, who sit second behind Holmwood, who have won 11 titles, the same as Vere Technical, will be hoping to return to winning ways, with their last victory coming in 2022. They were third last year behind IMG Academy of Florida and Alphansus Davis High, while Holmwood finished fourth.

The defending champions, who won in 8:40.51 last year - the third fastest time at Penn Relays - will return with the same quartet who piloted them to victory.

The Jamaican teams will have to be at their best if they are to reclaim the title, especially with strong overseas competition. Union Catholic of New Jersey, who won back-to-back titles in 2023 and 2024, have recorded the fastest time this season with an 8:40.07 clocking at Millrose Games earlier this year.

However, they will instead compete in the distance medley relay, where they are the defending champions.

FULL OF CONFIDENCE

Alphansus Davis will be seeking their first title after their second-place finish last year and, after defeating Edwin Allen at Gibson McCook Relays, will be full of confidence. However, the quartet, led by Alikay Reynolds and Ameah Samuels will have to improve significantly on their winning time of 8:57.25 if they hope to go all the way.

Edwin Allen will be fancying their chances, as they were leading Alphansus Davis up to the final exchange at Gibson McCook Relays, despite running without their top half-miler, Kevongaye Fowler, before eventually finishing third. Sydney Pagon High were second, and with Fowler expected to be in the lineup at Penns, they will be hoping her presence will make a difference.

Sydney Pagon, Holmwood and Hydel High will be the other Jamaican teams down to contest the event. But Edwin Allen and Alphansus Davis are expected to pose the biggest threats to the defending champions, IMG, who could make it four wins in a row for a United States team in the event.

- Raymond Graham