#PennRelays: JC could be disqualified for ineligible runner
PHILADELPHIA, USA — Jamaica College’s defense of the high school boys’ 4x800m relays title could be in trouble after they were alleged to have included an ineligible runner in the team that won their heat on Thursday’s opening day of the 127th running of the event at Franklin Field in Philadelphia.
Nicholas Power, who transferred from Calabar High to Jamaica College this year and was ineligible for the ISSA Champs, was a part of the team that won their heat in 7:49.29 seconds.
The Penn Relays rules states that athletes who are ineligible for their national or state championships are ineligible to compete at the Penn Relays.
Sources told OBSERVER ONLINE that “at least four schools” had filed protests over the inclusion of Power.
Meanwhile, former champions Kingston College and St Elizabeth Technical (STETHS) qualified for Friday’s final set for 5:50pm local time.
Kingston College won their heat in 7:54:79 while STETHS ran 7:55.96.
Calabar High, the fourth Jamaican team, did not show for their heat.
-Paul A Reid