Quakers notch a number of noteworthy performances at Penn Relays
The 129th running of the Penn Relays was held Thursday to Saturday at Franklin Field. The three-day extravaganza features nearly 20,000 athletes of all levels.
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In the opening contests of the 129th running of the Penn Relays at Franklin Field on April 24, five Quakers finished in the top 20.
Warm, sunny skies welcomed the Penn Relays on Thursday, April 24, the 129th running of the world-famous meet. The three-day extravaganza features nearly 20,000 athletes of all levels and is the oldest and largest relay competition in the country.
Penn’s track and field athletes notched a number of noteworthy performances, highlighted by third-year jumper Kampton Kam. On Saturday, he became the first Quaker in Relays history to win the high jump, clearing 2.20 meters (7 feet, 2.5 inches). Kam, from Singapore, recently broke his country’s 30-year national record in the men’s high jump.
In Thursday’s opening contests, five Quakers finished in the top 20.
Fourth-year Dylan Throop placed 9th in the men’s 5000m with a time of 13:41.03, a personal record and second all-time in school history. Fourth-year Luke Johnson was on his heels, finishing 10th with a time of 13:41.64, also a new personal record and third all-time in school history.
Fourth-year Scott Dochat placed 10th in the men’s hammer throw with a toss of 60.61 meters (198 feet, 9 inches). Third-year Lily Murphy finished 13th in the women’s 10,000m with a time of 34:53.14 Third-year thrower Stella Inman placed 19th in the women’s hammer throw with a mark of 47.60 meters (156 feet, 2 inches.)
Quakers produced even better numbers on Friday, breaking records and scoring a host of Top 5 finishes.
Second-year Alex Sadikov, second-year Nayyir Newash-Campbell, first-year Benjamin Markham, and second-year Ryan Matulonis set a new school record in the men’s 4x400m relay with a time of 3:05.49 in the heats. They placed third and advanced to the Championship of America competition.
First-year Chikaodinaka Akazi broke the school record in the women’s 100m hurdles with a time of 13.42 in the heats. She finished sixth and advanced to the finals.
First-year Takunda Mhete placed third in the men’s long jump with a mark of 7.12 meters (23 feet, 4.5 inches.) First-year Mary Rozier finished third in the women’s long jump with a mark of 5.90 meters (19 feet, 4.25 inches.)
Third-year Liam Going, second-year Nicholas DeVita, first-year Brady Golomb, and second-year George Keen took fifth place in the distance medley relay with a time of 9:51.60. Second-year Samantha Strydesky tied for fifth in the high jump with a mark of 1.70 meters (5 feet, 7 inches). Third-year Ijeoma Eziri finished fifth in the triple jump with a mark of 12.03 meters (39 feet, 5.75 inches).
In addition to Kam’s historic Saturday win, supplementary showings of significance include:
Sadikov, Newash-Campbell, Markham, and Matulonis broke their own school record in the 4x400m—set a day earlier—with a time of 3:04.57 in the Championship of America. They finished third.
Alanna Wren, T. Gibbs Kane, Jr. W’69 Director of Athletics and Recreation, chatted with Penn President J. Larry Jameson at the Penn Relays.
Fourth-year Kyle Miller, fourth-year Edwin Klanke, third-year Nicolas Pizarro, and Going broke the Ivy League record in the 4x800m with a time of 7:19.02 in the Championship of America. They placed fifth.
Third-year Angeludi Asaah placed third in the shot put with a mark of 55.39 meters (181 feet, 9 inches). Fourth-year Caia Gelli, third-year Christiana Nwachuku, first-year Milan Ramey, and third-year Fore Abinusawa finished fourth in the 4x100m Championship of America with a time of 44.55.
Third-year Shane Gardner finished fifth in the 110m hurdles with a time of 14.22. Abinusawa took second place in the 100m with a time of 11.44. Third-year Atticus Soehren finished third in the javelin with a throw of 64.14 meters (210 feet, 5 inches).
Second-year Adannia Agbo finished third in the triple jump with a mark of 12.57 meters (41 feet, 1 inch). Fourth-year Tumi Onaleye finished fifth in the triple jump with a mark of 12.20 meters (40 feet, 0.5 inch).
In Saturday’s Olympic Development competition, 2020 alumna and 2024 Olympian alumna Nia Akins returned to the Relays and competed in the women’s 800m elite. She placed first with a time of 2:00.49, besting Cindy Bourdier of France (2:02.80) and fellow American Gabrielle Wilkinson (2:02.85).
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