PHILADELPHIA (April 25, 2019) – The 125
th Penn Relays opened its three-day event with primarily women's competition where Howard University relay squads shined in front of 24,463 spectators inside Franklin Field, home of the University of Pennsylvania.
Early afternoon, the 4x100 relay team of junior
Uchechi Onuoha (Yardly, Pa.), sophomores
Jessika Gbai (Philadelphia) and
Ameenah Saalih (Willingboro, N.J.) and freshman
Kennedy Lewis (Atlanta) advanced to the College Women's Eastern Finals after running a 47.06 time.
Director of Track and Field
David Oliver was satisfied with the team's performance; however, knows there is room for improvement.
"We've still got some kinks to workout with the 4x1 relay," Director Oliver stated. "We must find a way to be a more cohesive unit in the finals, but I fully expect us to run well in the finals tomorrow."
Friday's meet time is set for 1:02 p.m.
The nightcap witnessed HU's 4x400 relay squad of Gbai, juniors
Sydney Benson (Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich.) and
Oluchi Ike (Upper Marlboro, Md.) and sophomore
Ozioma Scott (Georgetown, Guyana) finishing with the 11
th best mark, clocking in at a season-best 3:41.64.
"The 4x4 [relay team] ran extremely well," said Director Oliver. "
Ozioma Scott put us in a great position to compete and
Jessika Gbai ran the anchor leg exactly how you would expect it to be ran. We are really proud of those ladies."
HU qualified for the College Women's College Finals where they will face tough competition from the Big Ten (Wisconsin), Atlantic Coast Conference (Pittsburgh) and Big East (St. John's). The finals take place Saturday (April 27) at 2:07 p.m.
"It's going to be a battle in the finals," Director Oliver ended. "We've got a tough squad and at the end of the day, I hope we're hoisting one of those treasured Penn Relays plaques."
To view results from Thursday's meet, please click
here.
The prestigious event continues Friday (April 26), starting at 9 a.m. inside Franklin Field.
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at
www.HUBison.com.
