PHILADELPHIA – New York Post track and field beat writer Joseph Staszewski gives you an inside look at the New York City girls athletes will be competing in this weekend’s Penn Relays.
Penn Relays
When: April 22 to April 24
Where: Pennsylvania University, Franklin Field
Athlete’s to watch: Whitney Fountain (Columbus), Alaine Tate (Bayside), Chamique Francis (Cardozo), Adrienne Alexander (Bishop Loughlin) and Imani Oliver (Midwood)
Outlook: The Cardozo 4 x 100 relay may be hitting its peak performance heading into the Penn Relays. Chamique Francis, Elizabeth Myers, Lateisha Philson and Ahtyana Johnson just ran the state’s best time (46.97) at the New York Relays last weekend, besting rival Medgar Evers.
Francis and Johnson along with Sabrina Southerland will likely also run in the 4 x 400 relay, where the Cougars own the state’s best time. Last year’s trip to Pennsylvania didn’t go as planned for the Judges. Francis tweaked her quad in the 4 x 100 trials and Cardozo just missed qualifying for the 4 x 400 Championship of America race. The trials for both start Thursday and a New York team has never won either event.
Columbus’ Whitney Fountain is coming off running the state’s third fastest time (1:00.73) in the 400 meter hurdles at the New York Relays. The Clemson-bound senior will compete Thursday morning in the event and is among the favorites. Fast fields usually mean low times for her. The versatile Alaine Tate of Bayside will compete in the mile championship Thursday night.
Bishop Loughlin’s Adrienne Alexander and St. Joseph Hill’s Amanda Spoto, two of the state’s best, will be going against an impressive shot put field Thursday. Medgar Evers’ Camille Edwards will compete in the long jump and indoor state champ Imani Oliver of Midwood will try to win the triple jump.
St. John Villa could sneak up on people in the girls smalls school 4 x 800 relay on Thursday. Boys & Girls will compete in the large school version. Poly Prep, Brearley, Dalton and Covent of the Sacred Heat will all have teams running in the girls prep school 4 x 400 on Thursday.
