Calabar impress in 4x100m, 4x400m prelims at Penn Relays

RAYMOND GRAHAM

STAR Writer

PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania:

On a warm and sunny day inside the Franklin Field Stadium yesterday, it was much the same for the Calabar High School team at the 129th staging of the Penn Relays, as they impressed in the preliminary round of the Championship of America 4x100m and 4x400m relays.

Favourites to win the 4x100m relay, Calabar looked slick, led by an impressive opening leg from the much-improved Jamal Stephenson. He gave the team a strong start, making it easier for his teammates as they stopped the clock at 40.24 seconds -- the fastest qualifying time for Friday's final at 12:50 p.m. Jamaica time.

Kingston College (40.70), Jamaica College (41.04), Excelsior High (41.08), Edwin Allen High (41.35), St Elizabeth Technical High School (41.49), and William Knibb Memorial High (41.38) are the other Jamaican teams through to the final.

Assistant coach Christopher Hartley was impressed with Calabar's progress.

"Today it was all about caution, as the goal was just to ensure the team qualified for the final after a few mishaps leading into the meet. We really want them to showcase their talent in the finals," said Hartley, who also expressed happiness with the beautiful weather.

An exciting battle is brewing for today's Championship of America 4x400m relays following yesterday's preliminary action.

Pre-race favourites Bullis High, with Olympian Quincy Wilson, are the fastest qualifiers after clocking 3:11.04 to win their heat ahead of Excelsior High, who were second in 3:12.52.

Calabar High, with a back-to-fitness Nickecoy Bramwell, looked strong in advancing after winning their heat in 3:11.58, making them the third-fastest.

Defending champions Kingston College (3:13.22), St Elizabeth Technical (3:12.76), Jamaica College (3:14.96), and Holmwood (3:15.82) are the other Jamaican teams advancing to today's final, which is set for 3 p.m.

Yesterday also saw preliminary action in the Championship of America 4x800m relay. Edwin Allen (7:49.99), Kingston College (7:50.06) and Calabar High (7:50.76) are through to today's final, scheduled for 4:55 p.m. St. John's College were the fastest in qualifying, with 7:40.65.

High school girls will be in action today, with Alphansus Davis High opening their campaign in the first heat of the 4x800m relay. Holmwood Technical, Edwin Allen and Hydel High are also set to compete.

Girls action will continue with the preliminary round of the 4x100m relay, where Edwin Allen and Hydel High are the two top contenders from Jamaica.

Today will also feature field event competition for the females.

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