Well, the 2010 Penn Relays have come to a close, but the memories of an electrifying Saturday afternoon will long live on.

As the crowd swelled early, Franklin Field had a unique feel of anticipation. The place erupted when Usain Bolt and his Jamaican teammates walked onto the infield to stretch and warm up. “It was so loud,” said USA runner Miki Barber, “I thought, ‘Is the president here?’”

Nope. Just the world’s fastest man. And he was just as appreciative of the crowd, which largely consists of fans with deep Jamaica roots.

“The crowd always has been wonderful,” Bolt said after leading the Green & Gold to a record time of 37.90 in the USA vs. the World 4×100-meter relay. “I haven’t been here in a while, so I was really looking forward to it. It was just awesome. It was a wonderful feeling. There’s nothing like a home crowd for me. So the experience was wonderful. I love running here.”

Here is how it was covered by the media:

Usain Bolt electrifies the Penn Relays (Washington Post)
Lightning Bolt (Philadelphia Inquirer)
Bolt Draws Crowd and Delivers a Record at Penn Relays (New York Times)
Scorching run by Bolt (Jamaica Gleaner)
Bolt-mania spills over as Jamaica wins 4×100m (NBC Universal)
Hearts Racing (Philadelphia Inquirer)
Bolt dazzles at Penn Relays (Sports Illustrated)

The Penn Relays would like to specifically thank Seton Hall University for its many years of running at our meet and we hope that the 8 Championships of America trophies remain prominently displayed in their athletic department.  We may not be seeing the blue uniform of The Hall for a while, but I’m sure they will be back eventually.  Both the men’s and women’s 4×400’s won the ECAC and IC4A heats, respectively, and we leave you with the IC4A photo.

The Hall wins one last time (Photo Kim Spir)

Mississippi State holds off a comeback by A&M (Photo Kim Spir)

After dropping the baton at the final exchange, Texas A&M’s Tabarie Henry made a valiant effort to close the gap, splitting 46.06 and and nearly pulling off an epic comeback. Alas, he ran out of track and Mississippi State held on for the win, 3:04.92–3:05.04.

Results can be found here.

The final exchange (Photo Kim Spir)

UTech wins for the second year in a row, with a 3:31.54–3:32.34 victory over Oregon. Stephenie McPherson’s 51.06 anchor leg was decisive.

Texas A&M (3:32.86) and Penn State (3:33.06) were third and fourth. Fawn Dorr ran a fantastic third leg in 52.05 for Penn State to give the Nittany Lions the lead at the final exchange.

Full results can be found here.

Wolmer's Boys on the lean over Junipero Serra ! (Photo Kim Spir)

Always one of our loudest and most popular races is the high school 4×400 championship.  This year’s edition had arguably the fastest group of seeds of any 4×400 we have ever had – 3:16 didn’t even make the final !  Additionally, we had Cheltenham PA, a local team that ran 3:13 in the trials, qualify for the championship.

Vere Tech and Wolmer’s Boys, with Cheltenham making a move on the third briefly . . . but with fast 3rd and 4th legs, Junipero Serra moved right into mix.  The top three were within 0.5, with Wolmer’s outleaning Junipero Serra at the line.  Although the winning time wasn’t super fast, it was quite good for the colder windy conditions.  Both anchors ran 46 second splits.

Full results here.

Versatile Allyson Felix anchors the USA 4x400 (Photo Kim Spir)

Debbie Dunn opened up a big lead for USA Blue on the first leg, which Lashinda Demus maintained, despite a challenge from Jamaica’s Novlene Williams. Same thing on the third leg: Dee Dee Trotter (USA Blue) held off Kaliese Spencer (Jamaica). USA Blue’s Allyson Felix wrapped things up easily on the anchor 3:26.12.

(Note: Sanya Richards-Ross was scheduled to run for the U.S., but she strained her quadricep while working out yesterday and had to scratch.)

Full results can be found here.

Full results can be found here.

Penn State, Virginia, and Oregon with one lap to go (Photo Kim Spir)

Virginia wins its first Penn Relays men’s Championship of America since 1943 with a 7:15.38 clocking.

On the opening leg, Owen Dawson handed off first for Penn State with everyone still in contention.

Casimir Loxsom kept the Nittany Lions in the lead on the second leg, thanks to the day’s fastest split, 1:46.58. Lance Roller moved Virginia up to second place with Oregon, Tennessee, Texas and LSU following.

Stephen Finley moved Virginia into the lead at the final exchange, with Oregon and Penn State close behind.

but its Virginia and Robby Andrews at the finish ! (Photo Kim Spir)

Robby Andrews (Virginia) took the pace out on the anchor leg, leading Andrew Wheating (Oregon) and Ryan Foster (Penn State). Foster snuck into the lead at the bell. Down the backstretch he held off Wheating and it appeared that they had dropped Andrews. But the Virginia freshman found another gear and came rolling to the front of the final turn, holding off Wheating (just as he did in the 800 at the NCAA Indoor championships in March). Andrews and Wheating had identical splits of 1:47.78.

Full results can be found here.

Warwick Valley on the lead (Photo Kristen Holzherr)

We have had a great race in the HSB 4×800.  After the first two legs, it was Warwick Valley (NY), Long Beach Poly (CA), and Kingston College (JA) in a great three team race.  Warwick Valley made a solid move before the last handoff, taking a small lead on Poly.  At the bell, Warwick Valley led, but there were huge moves by Georgetown Prep and Kingston College.  Nevertheless, Warwick Valley held on in 7:41.77.  The top 7 teams were under 7:50.

Full results here.  Off note, the clouds have moved in . . . and its getting a little windy.  Hopefully the rain will hold off !

Corey Crawford (Indian Hills, Oakland, NJ) was fourth in the boys long jump. Photo by Kristen Holzherr

It’s been another busy day for jumpers and throwers. Here are the championship-division winners:

Olympic Development Men
• Jacob Freeman (NYAC) won the hammer throw with a 229′ 11″ (70.08) toss. That’s his second straight win in the event, and he also won the college division twice (2001, 2002) for Manhattan College. Results.

Olympic Development Women
• Toni Smith (unattached) won the triple jump at 44′ 0-3/4″ (13.43). Results.

• Amy Thayer (Shore AC) won the hammer at 194′ 10″ (59.41). Results.

College Men
• Derek Drouin (Indiana) won the high jump at 7′ 3-1/4″ (2.22). Results.

• Josh Dominguez (LSU) won the pole vault by clearing 17′ 8-1/2″ (5.40) on his first attempt. Results.

• Omar Craddock (Florida) won the triple jump at 53′ 3-1/2″ (16.24). Results.

• Walter Henning (LSU), won the hammer for the second straight year, reaching 237′ 9″ (72.47), the fifth best ever at the Relays. Princeton’s highly touted freshman, Conor McCullough, the 2009 U.S. Junior champion, was second at 215′ 1″ (65.57). Results.

• John Austin (Duke) won the javelin at 220′ 7″ (67.25). Results.

High School Boys
• Oneil Sandiford (Paul Robeson, Brooklyn, NY) won the high jump with a leap of 6′ 11-1/2″ (2.12). Results.

• Jordan Yamoah (Arlington, LaGrangeville, NY) won the pole vault at 15′ 5″ (4.70). Results.

• Kamal Fuller (Wolmer’s Boys, Jamaica) wins the long jump with a leap of 24′ 10″ (7.57), the third best mark ever at Penn. Results.

• • Marquis Dendy (Middletown, DE) won the triple jump at 50′ 10-3/4″ (15.51), the seventh best mark in meet history. Results.

• Chad Wright (Calabar, Jamaica) set a new event record to win the discus. His mark of 191′ 11″ (58.50) improves on the 190-11 (58.20) set in 1999 by Nick Welihozkiy (West Springfield, VA). Results.