PHILADELPHIA, United States — Hydel High completed the defence of their 4x100m/4x400m double after a thrilling finish in the Championships of Americas 4x400m finals on Friday’s second day of the 128th Penn Relays Carnival at Franklin Field in Philadelphia.

Pressed all the way by Bullis School of Maryland, Hydel High’s anchor leg runner Aaliyah Baker produced a late surge to get to the finish line first, to win in 3:34.78 seconds, the fifth fastest time ever run in the event at the Penn Relays with the American squad just behind in 3:35.17 seconds.

Jody-Ann Daley who also ran on the 4x100m team, led off the relay with Abigail Campbell and Nastassia Fletcher also contributing to the victory.

Edwin Allen High who ended up fourth in 3:43.62 seconds, suffered a mishap as third leg runner, Shanique Beckford, inadvertently stepped on the metal rail that run through the middle of the track and almost fell but managed to regain her balance.

St Elizabeth Technical were fifth in 3:45.06 seconds, Wolmer’s Girls’ were seventh in 3:48.83 seconds and Vere Technical eighth in 3:49.50 seconds.

-Paul A Reid