10:30am Girls 4x800
Western Branch posts the fastest qualifying time of 9:09.43
In the girls' 4x800 relays the headliner of America were the girls from Western Branch that blazed a US #2 time of 9:09 with three of their top legs. That was the fastest qualifier of the day and they will be joined by the 11 other teams in that qualified for tomorrow's final. The second top seed and record holders in the event was Jamaica's Vere Technical who went 9:10.31 in the qualifying.
Small Schools Divison Recap
Heat 1 - Cornwall led for most of the race until Holmwood Tech (Jamaica) charged strong on the third leg and led for a bit before Cornwall took over yet again on the final leg to win in 9:17.28. Two-time NXN qualifiers Unionville, PA (9:18.57) had a tremendous finish reeling in Holmwood Tech (9:20.93) as well.
Heat 2 - The most winningest Championship of America high school team in Penn Relays history (39 wins), Vere Tech (JAM) take the lead from the gun and never look back winning in 9:10.31. The Pennsylvania indoor state champs, Great Valley, held on for a bit, but struggled dealing with the yo-yo pace of Vere Tech as the Jamaicans would drop an early fast first lap for each leg and then pull back a bit. Vere Tech enters tomorrow COA 4x800m with the second fastest time from today. Great Valley finishes in 9:20.39.
Large Schools Division Recap
Heat 1 - The New Balance Nationals Indoor Champs Western Branch proved they are one of the most dominant 4x800m teams in not just the nation, but the world. Western Branch runs 9:09.43 for the fastest time of the day
Heat 2 - Everyone was chasing the 2-time reigning champs in this event, Colombia (NJ) from they gun. Colombia looked good for 90% of the race until falling apart the final 200m where Pennsylvania half-mile powerhouse school North Penn took advantage and brought home the win in 9:22.20.
On a huge third leg from Libby Davidson, 6th place at Foot Locker in the fall, EC Glass was able to rally late allowing their anchor leg to bring the stick across the line in 2nd place, 9:23.08
*Top 12 schools from all four sections of the girls 4x800 relay will move on to the final tomorrow at 1PM (Event #337)