118th Penn Relays | Metro Montage

Leo Manzano with the USA blue team, hugs a teammate after crossing the finish line first during USA vs. the World Men Distance Medley at the Penn Relays athletics meet Saturday, April 28, 2012 in Philadelphia, PA.

The 118th running of the Penn Relays took place from April 26 – 28, 2012 in Philadelphia, PA. The event attracted participants and attendees from all over the United States and from around the world. The total attendants for the three day meet was 112,416.

The first Penn Relays took place on April 21, 1895 attracting approximately 5,000 people. Nine relay events were scheduled the first year, four for high schools and prep schools, four for colleges, and a college championship. Today, those numbers have dramatically increased with more than 22,000 entrants annually from 60 countries and more than 425 events taking place.

A total of 197 high schools and 34 colleges represented DC, Maryland, and Virginia. One of the highlights of the meet for the tri-state area schools was three teams from Maryland placing in the top ten in the High Schools Boys’ 4×100 Championship of America. The team from Potomac (Oxon Hill, MD) consisting of Tavon Young, Dondre Echols, Ronald Darby, and Josh Thorne finished with a time of 41.47 seconds to take fourth place, the team from Suitland (Forestville, MD) consisting of Travis Scarsborough, David Winters, Tyrell Deas, and Taivon Jacobs finished with a time of 41.89 seconds to take fifth place, and the team from Wise (Upper Marlboro, MD) consisting of Antoine Whitaker, Champ Page, Beyshawn Hamilton, and Rasaan Johnson finished with a time of 42.00 seconds to take seventh place.

Wilmer’s Boys of Kingston, Jamaica finished with a time of 40.34 seconds to win the High Schools Boys’ 4×100 Championship of America.