By Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer
Michael Frater (second left) is off and running after collecting the baton from Marvin Anderson (right) in the USA vs the World 4x100m at the Penn Relays on Saturday. Jamaica won in 39.04 seconds. - Anthony Foster Photo
PHILADELPHIA
Calabar, St Jago and Manchester High boys' teams bagged Championship of America titles as the curtain came down on the 114th Penn Relays at Franklin Field Stadium.
After two big setbacks in the morning session, where Calabar lost Ramone McKenzie, who was seen on crutches, and Kingston College's (KC) Andre Peart got hurt in the 4x400m heats, Jamaica did well by taking all three high school relays contested on the day.
It all started with Calabar in the Championship of America's 4x100m. Running without regular second-leg man McKenzie, they upset St Jago who failed to finish.
The quartet of Andrew Riley, Earl Lee, Warren Weir and Oshane Bailey stopped the clock in 40.74 seconds. Riley, the team's captain, said it was a great victory.
Injured
"One of our main players (McKenzie) was injured and that really motivated us. We wanted to show that it's not a one-man team, it's a group, so that really gave us a great boost to go out there and deliver for the school," Riley said.
Camperdown (Taffawee Johnson, Rasheed Dwyer, Marlon Hanson and Kemar Brown) finished second in 41.04. St George's College (Khorey Spalding, Darrion Mitchell, Duwayne Ferguson and Aldaine Dunn) were third in 41.33, Herbert Morrison (41.43) were fifth while William Knibb (41.93) finished seventh.
Good run
Manchester High were equally impressive in the 4x800m. Alwayne Green, who received the baton 10 metres behind in second spot on the final leg, produced a good run to take his team home in 7:43.22.
"It's a great feeling," was how coach Jerry Holness described the boys' victory. He said they have been working hard for this title.
Holness added that the boys were even more motivated by the girls' defeat last Friday. "They decided they want to come out and do it, not only for themselves, but also for the girls, and for Manchester High."
St Jago ended a sweet day for Jamaica by taking the 1600m relay. Andre Walsh, Riker Hylton, Adolphus Nevers and Nickel Ashmeade took the team home in 3:15.66.
Bethel finished second in 3:16.33, while Camperdown (3:19.19), Holmwood (3:19.84) and Wolmer's (3:26.37) were fifth, sixth and eighth, respectively.
Peart of KC won the boys' high school 400m hurdles in 52.25 seconds. Jermaine Lowery of Father Judge was second in 52.68.
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