Team USA takes Penn Relays
Published 5:00 am Sunday, April 29, 2012
PHILADELPHIA — Team USA used a Penn Relays romp as a hopeful sneak preview for London.
Allyson Felix ran on a pair of relay teams that set Penn Relays records on Saturday, and the United States was flawless in all six relays in the “U.S.A. vs. the World” races at Franklin Field on Saturday.
USA Track and Field set the lofty goal of 30 medals in the Olympics.
Felix, Sanya Richards-Ross, Walter Dix, Justin Gatlin and Lashawn Merritt showed they’re coming to get their share.
“London, here we come,” Merritt said.
On a chilly and windy day at Franklin Field, the men and women simply did what they wanted on the track against teams from Belgium and the Bahamas to Venezuela and Kenya, keeping the thrilling finishes to a minimum and giving a decisive glimpse into what they expect in the Olympics.
The women won the sprint medley relay, the 400-meter relay and the 1,600-meter relay. The men won the 400-meter relay, the distance medley relay and the 1,600-meter relay in the 118th running of the famed track and field meet.
“We’re in the right direction heading to London,” 2008 Olympics bronze medalist Bershawn Jackson said. “Just for America to come out on top 6-0, that says that America is coming this year.”
The relays belonged to Felix, a three-time Olympic medalist, who flashed the speed that’s long made her a fan favorite at the Penn Relays.
Felix teamed with Tianna Madison, Bianca Knight and Carmelita Jeter to set a Penn Relays record in the 400 with a time of 42.19 seconds.
She also was on a relay with Francena McCorory, Natasha Hastings and Sanya Richards-Ross that set the mark in the 1,600 with a time of 3 minutes, 21.18 seconds.
“It just really makes me look forward to London 2012,” Jeter said.
— The Associated Press