Jamaican Talent Dominates Across Multiple Disciplines at Penn Relays

Jamaica’s presence extended beyond the high school ranks, with several former athletes delivering standout performances in the collegiate and development categories at the 2026 staging of the Penn Relays.

Former Wolmer’s Boys sprinter Gary Card secured the men’s 100m title, adding to his earlier lifetime best of 10.03 seconds in the heats before taking the final in 10.34 seconds.

In the field, Kai Chang of the University of the West Indies led the discus competition with a throw of 59.26 metres, while Olympic finalist Romaine Beckford cleared 2.26 metres to top the Olympic Development high jump. Shantae Foreman, representing Clemson University, captured the women’s triple jump crown with a leap of 13.21 metres.

On the boys’ side among high schools, Jamaica College accounted for the majority of victories, claiming three titles. Their success came through triple jumper Micheal Andre Edwards, shot putter Joseph Salmon, and their sprint relay unit. Edwin Allen’s Addison James, competing for Grenada, also delivered a win in the javelin event.

The girls’ competition produced four wins for Caribbean-based athletes, including Clarendon College’s Marla Kay Lampart in the shot put and Hydel’s Zavien Bernard in the triple jump.

Hydel also extended their dominance in the 4×400 metres with a fifth consecutive victory, while Edwin Allen retained their title in the 4×100 metres.

Relay events on the final day saw mixed outcomes for Jamaican schools. In the 4×400 metres, Bullis School of Maryland broke a long-standing trend, becoming the first overseas institution in nearly two decades to take the title with a time of 3:10.15.

Jamaica College finished third in 3:13.57, while Kingston College, previously dominant in the event, placed fourth in 3:14.74 as their run of consecutive victories ended. The last time a non-Jamaican school had won the event dated back to 2007.

In the longer sprint relay, Jamaica College were the only local representatives in the 4×800 metres final and placed fourth after clocking 7:52.27, with Union Catholic taking the win in 7:41.14.

Despite those results, Jamaica’s schools still accumulated a total of eight victories across the meet.

The defining moment for Jamaican supporters came in the 4×100 metres, where Jamaica College emerged victorious in difficult conditions at Franklin Field in Philadelphia. Competing in cold and rainy weather, the quartet of Makaeean Woods, Nathaniel Martin, Elijah Smikle, and anchor runner Kai Kelly combined to stop the clock at 40.03 seconds. Kingston College followed closely in 40.10 seconds, with St James Academy of Virginia finishing third in 40.38.

Coach Cory Bennett indicated that the performance reflected the team’s ability to execute despite challenging weather.

Elsewhere in the sprint relays, William Knibb High secured the consolation international 4×100 metres final in 40.71 seconds, finishing ahead of St George’s College and Calabar.

The meet marked the 130th edition of the event, held on April 25, with Jamaica College adding a fourth 4×100 metres title to their history during the competition.

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