Penn Relays 2018

[MalWhit]

A bit early, but Penn Relays (4/26 – 4/28) are essentially eight weeks away. Hopefully Villanova will be able to shine. I think the women will do well. The men? But what is somewhat disconcerting is the number of major college programs that will no longer be competing. There was already competition from the Drake Relays. Last year, the SEC schools formed their own SEC Relays. This year, Oregon is not coming (going to the Desert Heat Classic and their own OSU High Performance) and Stanford is splitting teams between SEC Relays and Penn Relays. However ACC is coming, which is good. My experience (some may have other experiences and remembrances): if a school (college or high school) felt they had something, they came to Penn Relays to prove it. Think Arizona State years ago or even John Muir HS (Pasadena, Ca. & Obea Morre). Jamaican schools still come and win just about everything. No problem. They run fast. It is what it is and it is fun. But why so many colleges choosing not to come? Colleges athletics is polluted with $ so maybe it has finally found its way into track …?

 

[MalWhit]

Pay attention to how runners perform, this weekend (4/20 - 4/21) at Princeton and Auburn. Probably decides who runs at Penn Relays, next weekend. Some are given - like Siofra - but who are the others? For example, who anchors women's DMR? That has a bearing on who leads-off or vice-versa. Who is the fourth leg on men's 4xmile after Malone,Wetzel and Comber? Are they serious about a men's SMR? Where is Malone? Might be key to any success for men at Penn ...

Glad to see McArthur is running. She DNF, last weekend. Purcell not running ...? Why? If healthy, he might be on three relays at Penn.

 

[MalWhit]

Women just won DMR. Congratulations. Great lead-off leg by Hutchinson. Note that Notre Dame finished 2nd. This is noteworthy because Notre Dame had been away from Penn Relays for 50 years prior to 2017. And pay attention to them in the 4x800. All except the 400 leg are good to outstanding 800 runners. Note also that girl who won 3000 is going to Notre Dame, next year. Olivere finished a close second; Siebert was 6th. Pay attention to the winning Saratoga Spring anchor in DMR, Kelsey Chmiel. Great anchor. A junior. Villanova should be very interested.