The team of Rickeisha Simms, Monqie Stewart, Horecia Love and Tonian Allen clocked a time of 9:04.67 to win their heat and advance as one of the 12 fastest teams heading into the final. Purdue Academy were the runners up in the heat with a time of 9:09.66.
Third in the heat were IMG Academy that were timed in 9:12.13.
Meanwhile, Alphansus Davis High (Tabbrel Williams, Alikay Reynolds, Allecia Johnson, Carlene Temple) finished third in their heat in 9:06.25, a time that also saw them advance to the finals.
Their heat was won by Union Athletic who clocked 9:02.27, the fastest time heading into the finals. Second was Rumson Fair-Haven in 9:04.48.
Holmwood Technical (Terrica Clarke, Cindy Rose, Jovi Rose, Florence Nafamba) just managed to make it with their time of 9:18.65, which saw them finish second in their heat behind winners Guilderland (9:18.25).
Minister of Gender, Culture, Entertainment and Sports Olivia Grange confirmed that Pryce suffered a broken leg and has been taken to hospital.
“I can confirm that one of our young Jamaican athletes, Samantha Pryce, who represents Holmwood Technical High School, was injured while competing in the 4x800m at the Penn Relays today,” the Minister said.
“She has been taken to the Penn Medical Centre and we have been informed that she broke her leg when she fell in that race. She is currently being prepared for surgery.”
In her statement, Minister Grange explained that Pryce and all the Jamaican high-school athletes competing at the Penn Relays are registered on the Ministry’s Athletes’ Insurance Programme and that they were making arrangements to ensure that the Holmwood athlete gets the best care.
“I pray for a successful surgery and her speedy recovery,” the minister said.
Their quartet of Antonio Forbes, Amal Glasgow, Roshawn Lee and Marcinho Rose combined to run 3:11.86 to win ahead of Excelsior (3:12.94) and Bullis School (3:13.10).
Elsewhere, Jamaica College won their second Championship of America 4x800m relay in three years.
Their team of Nellie Amberton, Samuel Creary, Rasheed Pryce and Kemarrio Bygrave produced a time of 7:42.37 to win ahead of St. John’s College (7:44.66) and Central Bucks West (7:45.99).
