Press Release written by Mitchell Coll
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - - The Wilmington University Track & Field Team had the privilege to compete in the oldest and largest track and field competition in the United States at the 2022 Penn Relays hosted by the University of Pennsylvania. The 4x100 and 4x400 relay teams of both the Men's and Women's teams competed on Friday afternoon.
The first relay team on the track for the Wildcats was the women's relay team consisting of Layla Hunt as the leadoff. Hunt handed off to Jalah Turner down the first straightaway, who handed it off to Lina Boussif who rounded the final turn and anchoring for the Wildcats was Kharonay Brown. They competed in the College Women's 4x100 Eastern (Heats) event, which consisted of a mix of schools from junior colleges to Division I, II, and III schools. The event had a total of 25 relay teams. The Wildcats came within .40 seconds of their season-best. Brown crossed the line for an official time of 52.80 seconds.
Next up for the Wildcats was the men's 4x100 relay team consisting of Shemar Parker who came out of the blocks. Parker handed off to Bradley Spencer down the first straightaway, who handed it off to Alex Varona who rounded the final turn and anchoring for the Wildcats was Matthew Hibbert. They competed in the College Men's 4x100 Eastern (Heats) event, which also consisted of a variety of schools from junior colleges to all three divisions of the NCAA representing. The Wildcats were in heat four of four and crossed the line at 42.83, which took second in heat four. The Wildcats finished 15th overall in the event out of 29 placed teams.
The same relay team of the women's 4x100 also competed in the College Women's 4x400 Eastern (Heats) event. Kharonay Brown, Lina Boussif, Layla Hunt, and Jalah Turner turned in the best time for the Wildcats in the 4x400 on the season. They topped their best time which was previously 4:24.18, which was set last week at the All-American Meet. They competed in heat three of three and finished third in that heat, 16th overall.
Again, the men's 4x100 relay team of Shemar Parker, Bradley Spencer, Alex Varona, and Matthew Hibbert also competed in the College Men's 4x400 Eastern (Heats) event. For the first time, this group has run together in a 4x400 relay event, they turned in an impressive time of 3:30.50. The relay team ran in heat four of four, placing second in the heat and 21st overall.
Up Next
A handful of members of the Wilmington Track & Field Team will head to the 17th Annual Paul Kaiser Track and Field Classic hosted by Shippensburg University on Saturday. The field events start at 9:00 a.m. with Men's Hammer and Women's Discus. The 10K race will start the track events at 10:00 a.m. The jumping events start at 11:00 a.m. with the Women's Pole Vault.