Hydel High continued their golden run of form as they powered into the High School Girls’ Championship of America 4x400m relay final alongside three other Jamaican schools after a dazzling display on the third and final day of the 129th Penn Relays at Franklin Field on Saturday.
The Ferry-based powerhouse laid down the marker, clocking a commanding 3:36.21 to top their heat — the fastest time of the qualifiers — and lead a Jamaican quartet into the prestigious final set for 5:00 p.m. Jamaica time.
Sashashunta Hemmings, Abigail Campbell, Aaliyah Mullings, and Nastassia Fletcher combined to deliver a clinical performance that saw Hydel finish well clear of St John’s College (3:41.21) from Washington D.C., and Bullis School (3:43.93), two of the top American threats.
Hydel’s momentum capped a perfect morning for the Jamaican schools, as Edwin Allen High, Holmwood Technical, and Immaculate Conception also topped their respective heats to ensure a strong island presence in the final.
Immaculate Conception, running with Davine Dickenson, Kimberly Wright, Samoya Brown, and Shevi-Anne Shim, produced a fluent 3:41.90 to win their section. They held off a spirited challenge from Excelsior High (3:46.50)—another Jamaican outfit — and Collierville High of Texas (3:47.32). Bellefield (3:53.08), also out of Jamaica, and Queens College (3:54.01) of the Bahamas were fifth and sixth, respectively.
Over in the third heat, it was the ever-reliable Edwin Allen High who stamped their authority. Their team of Harvia Ward, Marria Crossfield, Kellyann Carr, and Shanique Cassanova crossed the line in 3:41.30, comfortably ahead of Oxon Hill (3:46.13) of Maryland. Vere Technical, another Jamaican staple at the Penn Relays, finished third in 3:48.52 but missed out on a place in the final along with St Augustine’s (3:50.27) of the Bahamas, who finished fourth.
Meanwhile, Holmwood Technical, fuelled by Kristen Herbert, Abrina Wright, Maddison Campbell, and Tracey-Ann Evans, also delivered a decisive performance, winning their heat in 3:41.58 ahead of Union Catholic (3:45.49), who secured one of the non-automatic qualifying spots for the final.
Despite a brave effort from St Elizabeth Technical, whose team of Shevanecia Griffiths, Rihana Allen, Mareka Williams, and Channai Jarrett clocked 3:48.40 to win their heat, the time was not quick enough to crack the top nine advancing to the final.
Joining the Jamaican schools and Union Catholic in the final are Bullis School, St John’s College, Winslow Township, and Oxon Hill, ensuring a fierce Caribbean-American showdown.