KINGSTON, Jamaica — St Jago High set a championship record of 46.02 seconds to win the High School Girls 4x100m International event on Saturday’s third and final day of the 129th Penn Relays Carnival at Franklin Field in Philadelphia.

The team of Leigh-Ann Johnson, Adora Campbell, Shannia Campbell and Malayia Duncan broke the previous record of 46.32 seconds set by Immaculate Conception in 2019.

Jamaican schools filled out the top four positions with Excelsior High second with 46.20 seconds, followed by Vere Technical – 47.30 seconds and Mt Alvernia High – 47.49 seconds. St Andrew High were seventh with 48.57 seconds.

Meanwhile, the High School Girls’ 4x800m Championships of America title was won by an American school for the third straight year as the Dwight Thomas coached IMG Academy from Florida ran a time of 8:40.51 seconds, the third-fastest time ever to win their first ever Penn Relays title.

Only records holders Vere Technical who ran a then World Under 20 record of 8:37.71 seconds in 1991 and Edwin Allen who ran 8:39.22 seconds in 2011 have gone faster.

Alphansus Davis High were second in 8:46.23 seconds, followed by Edwin Allen High – 8:46.57 seconds and Holmwood Technical – 8:47.76 seconds.

-Paul A Reid