Previewing The COA 4x800 And DMR Races At The Penn Relays

* Saratoga Springs holds up its Wheel after winning the girls DMR in 2022 at The Penn Relays

Photo Credit: MileSplit

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The weekend is almost here, which means we're counting down the hours until we're in Philadelphia and readying for the Penn Relays presented by Toyota. 

This year's installment has an incredible lineup of races, athletes, teams and excitement headed to Franklin Field on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania. 

Check out the top storylines heading into the Championship of America girls and boys 4x800 and DMR.

The Girls 4x800

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This race could feature high school national high record possibilities. 

Just over a month ago, the Union Catholic girls tallied an impressive performance at New Balance Nationals Indoor, finishing as runner-ups to Cuthbertson in 8:48.86. 

But there was more to that moment than meets the eye. 

Not only was the New Jersey team's effort a new state record, but it also surpassed the former national record of 8:51.93, which was accomplished the previous season at NBNI by Ann Arbor.

And they lost. Cuthbertson, which was finished second at the Penn Relays in 2022, clocked a new national record of 8:48.02 at NBNI. 

On Saturday, without Cuthbertson, and facing defending champions Edwin Allen, Union Catholic will have a lot to think about -- but first, UC and the rest of the scheduled teams must first qualify for the Championship of America final.

The high school outdoor record of 8:43.12 was accomplished by Eleanor Roosevelt in 2008. 

It could go down this weekend. 

Furthermore, between the the American-Jamaican matchup up top, top seeds Holmwood Technical, South Lakes (VA), Shaker (NY) and Mount Tabor (NC) should also factor into the mix. 

Cornwall (NY), one of New York's top programs, could outfit Champs Sports Nationals winner Karrie Baloga in its lineup, though she will be coming off a performance in the 3K on Friday. 

Padua Academy (DE), State College (PA) and Lancaster J.P. McCaskey (PA) are also in the field. 

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FULL 4X800 GIRLS ENTRIES

The Boys DMR

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Just where will the boys distance medley relay take us? 

That is the fateful question. 

With Nike Indoor National champions Episcopal Academy in the mix, it would be hard to discount the Pennsylvania outlet as a real challenger in the Championship of America final. Having posted a time of 10:08.93 indoors, few teams can compete with that kind of talent. 

Currently, only three teams in the U.S. have run faster outdoors. But Episcopal opened up its outdoor campaign with a leisurely 10:59.24 nearly 10 days back, so some ground will have to be made up if the program hopes to win on the day. 

Delbarton School (NJ), meanwhile, also looks to be in the mix, alongside Monroe-Woodbury (NY), Union Catholic (NJ), Rahway (NJ) and Christ School (NC). 

If Union Catholic is healthy, then the defending Penn Relays champions are certainly among the challengers, especially with anchor Jimmy Wischusen ready to go. A year ago the team was anhored by Shane Brosnan, who fought through a slight illness to take home the victory. 

Wischusen, just a sophomore, looks to be one of the team's strongest distance runners in recent memory. 

And then there's Christ School, with the dangerous combo of Rocky Hansen and Drew Reeves, one runner capable of 4-flat and the other in sub-4:10. If the North Carolina can find appropriate legs in the middle, they will have a chance, too. 

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FULL BOYS DMR ENTRIES

The Girls DMR

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The Saratoga Springs girls are going to run it back. 

The New York program won this Championship of America race last year in a time of 11:43.26, a performance that finished the year at U.S. No. 1. 

With most of its lineup back, including junior Emily Bush and senior McKinley Wheeler, the Blue Streaks have to be considered the favorite. 

But lurking somewhere close is IMG Academy. Led by senior Layla Haynes, the talented 800m runner and Florida recruit who will run the opening 1,200m leg, the Ascenders could be in a position to challenge for a victory. IMG, currently ranked No. 7 in the country, ran 11:58.25 at the Texas Relays

However, can IMG -- or for that matter, anyone else -- run toe-to-toe with Saratoga Springs' anchor? Few teams are as experienced and accomplished as the New York outlet in a scenario such as this. 

It might take a special effort, then for someone to beat Saratoga. 

West Springfield (VA), Hunter College (NY), Saint Jago (JAM) and Hatboro-Horsham are also entered.

The latter, a Philadelphia area school, has run 12:13.47, which is currently a U.S. No. 22 time. The current U.S. No. 1 time is 11:44.87 by Del Norte (CA). 

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FULL GIRLS DMR ENTRIES

The Boys 4x800

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Jamaica College, which returns as the defending champions, ran 7:28.38 last year. 

The performance was a full 13 seconds faster than second-place Ridge (NJ), a team that set the high school indoor national record just a month prior that year. 

What does that mean? 

The Jamaicans are the clear and obvious favorite. But, it doesn't get much better for American squads after that. In fact, the top four seeds are Jamaican teams. 

Second-seed Saint Elizabeth (JAM), third-seed Calabar (JAM) and fourth-seed Kingston College are also going to challenge their countrymen at the front. 

Westfield, a squad that ran 7:50.06 at NBNI in March, comes in as the top U.S. seed. 

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FULL BOYS 4x800 ENTRIES