Four relay teams from Bishop O’Connell High School in Arlington qualified for the 126th Penn Relays at historic Franklin Field in Philadelphia last month. The event is considered the oldest and largest track meet in the United States, attracting high school, college and elite runners from across the country and internationally.
“The Penn Relays represent the highest level of high school track and field competition,” said O’Connell coach Jim Connor, who participated in the Penn Relays in high school. “All four of our teams rose to the occasion and had their best times of the year.”
The all-junior O’Connell girls 4×100 team of Samantha Rough, Carolina Rosson, Chantal Siodlarz and Chayse Raymond won their heat in a time of 51.19 and finished seventh out of 100 schools in their division. They were followed by the girls 4×400 team, which included senior Anna Chiappetta, juniors Megan Heuschel and Carolina Rosson, and freshman Danielle Rodriguez, running their best race of the year.
The all-senior boys 4×100 team of Job Grant, Duarte Alves, Mori Langshaw and Jayden Crosby ran a 43.65, finishing 60th out of 477 teams that qualified for the event. This was followed by the boys 4×400 team of seniors Job Grant and Jayden Crosby, along with juniors Nick O’Donnell and Cameron Lee, who finished with a time of 3:26.56, including an exceptional 50.24 leg by Grant.
“Although it lasted for about three minutes and 26 seconds, our team’s actual 4×400 relay race was my favorite part of the trip,” said O’Donnell. “The runners were all fast, the crowd was cheering loudly, and the whole thing felt like I was in the Olympics in some way.”
For some of the O’Connell athletes, there was a personal connection that added to the excitement. Grant had heard stories from relatives on his father’s side who had represented Jamaica at the Penn Relays. “They talked about how electric the stadium is and the feeling of being on the track,” he added. “The experience was breathtaking. I am so grateful that I had this opportunity and I hope I can compete again one day in the future.”
Cameron Lee also had a special connection to the event. His grandfather ran the same 4×400 high school event in 1946 and won a watch. “It was a special moment for me to run on such a big stage and to experience what my grandfather did more than 75 years earlier,” said Lee. “The atmosphere is unmatched.”
The O’Connell track and field team continues preparing for the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference and state championships that take place in May. In addition, several runners qualified for nationals, including the 4×400 boys team, as well as junior Chayse Raymond (100-meter dash) and sophomore Molly Weithman (2-mile run).
