Hydel, Edwin Allen to extend girls’ 4x400m rivalry at Penns

Since 2014, Edwin Allen High and Hydel High have dominated the high school girls' Championship of America 4x400m relay, with Hydel winning six times and Edwin Allen three.

When competition in the event gets under way next Thursday, both teams will be hoping to continue that trend, with defending champions Hydel seeking to make it five wins in a row.

The Hydel team wrote their names into the record books last year, becoming the first high school female team to go under 3:31 in the event after a record run of 3:30.42, breaking their previous mark of 3:32.77 set in 2022.

After a slow start to the season, where they finished third at Gibson McCook Relays in 3:39.83 behind winners Edwin Allen (3:37.48) and Holmwood (3:38.09), Hydel have shown great improvement. They rebounded to win at the event at the ISSA GraceKennedy Boys and Girls' Athletics Championships in 3:33.72, turning back Edwin Allen (3:35.30) and Holmwood Technical (3:39.61).

Hydel retained two members of last year's record-breaking team in Sashana Johnson and the outstanding Nastassia Fletcher.

Fletcher, who has been on the past three winning teams, will be hoping to end her high school Penn Relays career on a high by helping to give the Ferry-based team win number seven and separate themselves from Holmwood, who have six titles.

AVENGE DEFEAT

After losing to Hydel at Champs, Edwin Allen will be seeking to avenge that defeat as they return three members of last year's third-place team in Kelly Ann Carr, Marria Crossfield and Shanique Cassanova.

Carr, who ran a sub-51 seconds leg at Gibson McCook Relays, is in fine form this season in the one-lap event and will want to end her high school Penn Relays career on a high, as she is yet to be on a winning team at Penn Relays for her school.

Holmwood, with their strong cadre of quarter-milers, including Kristen Herbert, Maddison Campbell and Abrena Wright, should make their presence felt.

Last year's second-place finisher Bullis High of Maryland will be hoping to break the dominance of the Jamaican teams and improve on their 3:33.30 run from last year.

However, it could be a straight fight between Hydel and Edwin Allen, who are expected to include the outstanding Kevongaye Fowler in their team. The outcome could come down to Carr for Edwin Allen and Fletcher for Hydel, and it would be a treat to see both on the anchor leg continuing their battle royal this season.