Single Blog

The 2016 Penn Relays Carnival in Philadelphia has over 1,047 different high schools, including 62 from foreign schools entries. The Relays will begin on Thursday, April 28^th at Franklin Field. Over the years, Hampton Roads Public Schools have been participating in the Penn Relays.  These track athletes engage in national state to state, AAU and international competition. Not only that the Hampton Roads athletes can complete against state to state, they have been extremely competitive nationwide.  The Hampton Roads athletes have been very competitive in the Penn Relays Carnival.  Virginia has 76 schools to enter the 2016 Penn Relays Carnival this year. “It’s gotten a lot more competitive in the last few years,” said Coach Pollard, Heritage HS Track Coach. “We’re definitely facing an uphill battle competing with 62 teams from foreign schools. Coach Raymond Pollard has competed in the Penn Relays since the 1960s and won the Championship of America Relay two years in a row while attending Huntington HS. Penn Relay officials clocked Coach Pollard’s split at 46.4. in the 4 x 400 in 1964. He also received the Penn Relays Most Valuable High School Performer Award.  The team for both years was as follows:  1963 3:23.1, James Melvin, Eric McCaskill, Frank Gingles, Raymond Pollard and 1964 3:19.1, James Melvin, Eric McCaskill, Darryl Clark, Raymond Pollard.

Hampton Roads Participants in the 2016 Penn Relays

Leading in the Hampton Roads area with a run in the boys 4×400 with a time of 3:24.14 is Bethel High School at Conn Madden Relays March 26, 2016. Girls 4 x 400 with the time of 3:55.53 is Oscar Smith High School at McNamara Mustangs Invitational April 23, 2016. In the boys field events with the height of 6-6 Michael Tyler of Lafayette High School at the 2016 Colonial Relays. Boys Long Jump of 25-4 by Grant Holloway of Grassfield High School. Western Branch High School girls 4×800 with the time of 9:16.37 at the Southeast District Meet 2 on April 13, 2016. Seth Harrell of Grassfield High School with the throw of 56-9.5 at the 2016 Hampton Relays on April 16, 2016. 400M hurdles, Amira Aduma-Phoebus; Amanda Thomas-Western Branch; Brandee’ Johnson-Nansemond River; Faith Ross-Western Branch; Anthony Williams-Western Branch; Jaelen Williams-Phoebus. These are just some of Virginia’s athletes that will be representing Hampton Roads. In years past, Virginia’s high schools have always had an outstanding performance at the Penn Relay Carnival.