Bullis High School spoiled the closing act for Jamaican supporters yesterday at Franklin Field in Pennsylvania, taking the final race of the day at the Penn Relays. The American school, sparked by Olympic gold medallist Quincy Wilson, captured the High School Boys’ Championships of America 4x400-metre relay in 3:10.15.
After switching kits for the final, Bullis controlled the race with ease. Archbishop John Carroll of Washington placed second in 3:13.15, while Jamaica College finished third in 3:13.57. Kingston College, the reigning champions who were chasing a fifth straight title, came fourth in 3:14.74. Munro College ended eighth in 3:27.73, and Excelsior High School did not complete the race.
The result marked the first victory by a United States-based school in the event since 2007, when California’s Long Beach Poly last claimed the title.
Earlier, Jamaica College gave the Jamaican crowd a lift in wet, bitterly cold weather. A powerful anchor run from Kai Kelly carried JC to the High School Boys’ Championships of America 4x100m crown in 40.03 seconds.
Kingston College were runners-up in 40.19, with St James Academy of Virginia third in 40.38. St Jago High School took fourth in 40.43, Edwin Allen High School were fifth in 40.51, Excelsior High School sixth in 40.60, Wolmer’s Boys’ School seventh in 41.68, Petersfield High School eighth in 41.77, and St Mary High ninth in 42.37.
With eight Jamaican schools lining up for the 4x100m final, anticipation was strong for a close contest in a race many viewed as wide open. JC needed Kelly’s finishing speed to secure the win, their first in the event since 2023.
Running from lane six, JC spent much of the race trying to close ground on KC, who started sharply from lane eight and were still in front at the last baton change. KC remained ahead with roughly 50 metres left, but Kelly, the Under-17 Carifta Games 100m champion, surged beyond anchor runner Taj-Oneil Gordon to seal the victory for JC.
Makaelen Woods, Nathaniel Martin and Elijah Smeikle were the other members of the winning Jamaica College quartet. Smeikle said the team had entered the final believing they could take the title.
“Despite the very cold conditions, this did not affect us, as we were very confident going into the finals, and as long as we executed well, we knew victory would have been ours. It has been hard work, sleepless nights, and big-up to all those who made this possible,” said Smeikle.
Jamaican teams also swept the leading positions in the consolation International 4x100m relay final. William Knibb won in 40.71, ahead of St George’s College in 42.27, Calabar in 42.48, Cornwall College in 42.51, Munro in 42.54 and Herbert Morrison in 42.63.
In the Championships of America 4x800m relay, Jamaica College were the only Jamaican finalists and placed fourth in 7:52.27. Union Catholic of New Jersey won in 7:41.10, followed by IMG Academy of Florida in 7:42.71. Hackensack of New Jersey was third in 7:52.27.
Syndicated from Jamaica Gleaner · originally published .