Echoes Of Roosevelt Boost Redemption Arc For St. John's DC

WATCH LIVE: 2025 PENN RELAYS CARNIVAL

Are we seeing a flash from the past? Or is it time for a long-awaited payback.

It's 2007. One team from Maryland is coming in with high expectations. Led by Head Coach Desmond Dunham, the girls were on a mission. The State Meet didn't matter that year. It was all about Penn Relays.

That year, his team, Eleanor Roosevelt, became the only one to ever sweep the 4x400m and 4x800m Championship of America titles at Penn Relays, doing so with only six girls, across a span of only five hours. It was hailed as the greatest single-day performance for any team in Relays History.

But that's not the day we are talking about.

One year later, and Roosevelt was back. They were ready for a repeat. Eleanor Roosevelt's win was on the mind of the Jamaicans. Only one other American team had won in the 35 years prior. The stakes were high.

After a strong prelim, the stage was set, and the final delivered what the mixed-nation crowd wanted. Holmwood Tech (JAM) and Eleanor Roosevelt battled to the line, producing the second and third fastest times in Relays history. Tech came out on top, but Eleanor Roosevelt came away with the consolation prize of setting the National Record. Oh, and they came back later that day and won the 4x400m COA in the fastest time for an American Team ever, another mark that would stand until 2024.

Flash forward to 2024, where Dunham would watch his National Record in the Girls 4x800m broken at Penn Relays by Union Catholic (NJ). Likewise, another Maryland team, Bullis, would replace Roosevelt as the fastest American squad at the Relays over 4x400m.

But none of that mattered.

He was there for another reason. He had a new crop of athletes looking for history. Another shot at the top of the podium.

Dunham now works with St. John's College High School in Washington DC. He was there with his quartet, facing off against the Jamaican's once again. Just like all those years ago, it came down to a sprint in the 4x800m, and he was chasing the Green and Gold. The boys from DC would take second, but they knew there would be another chance next year.

The journey towards the 2025 Penn Relays began Indoors. They opened eyes with a dominant win at the Millrose Games in 7:42.45, then dropped jaws at New Balance Nationals Indoor with a US-2 All-Time mark of 7:37.52, less than one second off the National Record. Just like in 2007, it has all been in service to the ultimate goal: Penn Relays.

Coach Dunham knows exactly what kind of magic Penn Relays can hold.

"That race last year stuck with them," said Dunham. "They made the decision to not just train harder, but to run for each other. It stopped being about individual success and became about something greater."

It's the mantra adopted by Keenan Frisby, Caleb Rock, Karil Arnold, Zion Omotesa, and Eben Tyre. The quintet has embraced the history of both the program and the event. They've formed a unique bond, one that is becoming more rare in the modern age of High School Track & Field.

In an era where transfers and super-teams often dominate the headlines, every single member of this squad started at St. John's as a freshman. Only one entered high school with elite aspirations. The others were molded over time, developed through trust, patience, and belief.

"We take pride in developing athletes and people," Dunham said. "We focus on character, consistency, and team culture. When those things come together, success follows. This group is the perfect example."

That culture extends far beyond the starting line. Tyre, their fifth man, has run 1:55.09 and brings key flexibility to the lineup. Each athlete contributes leadership in their own way-some vocal, others by example-but together they elevate one another daily.

"They've matured together, trusted the process, and built something real," Dunham said. "They lead each other. They push each other. And they hold each other accountable. You don't get that unless there's real love and respect in the room."

Now, they head into Penn grounded, humble, and hungry. They've taken on-and taken down-many of the best in the U.S. this year. But Penn Relays is a different beast. Elite Jamaican powerhouses and U.S. juggernauts will be on the line too, all chasing the same dream.

"We know nobody's rolling out a red carpet for us," Dunham said. "We respect every team on the line. But we also know what we're capable of. We're focusing on effort, execution, and staying in the moment. That's all we can control."

The national record? It's within reach. But don't expect these guys to chase ghosts.

"It's not something we obsess over," Dunham said. "We know it's possible. But the focus is on running our best race and leaving it all on the track. If we do that, we can walk away with no regrets."

Whatever happens, the Cadets have already made their mark. They've shattered records, won major titles, and built a legacy others will chase for years to come. But more importantly, they've grown into young men who understand the value of sacrifice, support, and leading with heart.

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime kind of group," Dunham said. "They've taught me as much as I've taught them. No matter what happens at Penn, they've already won in the ways that matter most."