St. Mary’s College (SMC) made a memorable impression at the 130th edition of the Penn Relays in the USA, thrilling spectators with their grit and determination.
SMC proudly marked its first appearance at the prestigious Penn Relays in Philadelphia, USA,
featuring a five-member team competing in both the 4x100m and 4x400m relays. Sponsored by Hamilton Reserve Bank, the team achieved notable success, winning their 4x100m heat and securing second place in the 4x400m heat.
Tracy Green, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at Hamilton Reserve Bank, perfectly captured the spirit of the moment: “The boys should be proud of themselves; everyone had a great time. I hope that we all understand what is possible from this point going forward.”
The Samarians fiercely competed in event No. 509, the Boys’ 4x400m relay, finishing in second place with a time of 3 minutes and 38.23 seconds. Wheaton (MD) claimed victory with a time of 3:36.04, but the St. Mary’s quartet left the track with their heads held high and hearts full of pride.
The race unfolded with a display of drama and determination: Joshua Matthew set the tone in the 1st leg with a time of 53.97 seconds. Ethan Doxerie maintained the momentum in the 2nd leg, clocking 52.92 seconds (1:46.89). Zayne Henry powered through the 3rd leg in 53.82 seconds (2:40.70), while Tai La Force anchored the team with grit on the final leg, finishing in 57.53 seconds (3:38.23).
Together, they showcased that St. Mary’s truly belongs on the big stage, demonstrating not just speed, but also resilience and unity.
Key Details of the 2026 SMC Penn Relays Team:
-Team Members:
Joshua Matthew (captain), Ethan Doxerie, Tai La Force, Jonathan Alexander, and Zayne Henry
– Coach: Lenyn Leonce
– Performance:
– 4x100m Heat: First Place (44.33 seconds)
– 4x400m Heat: Second Place
– Significance: This marked the first participation of a team from St. Mary’s College at this renowned event.
– Sponsorship: Hamilton Reserve Bank was the primary sponsor for the team’s participation.
– Event Background: The 2026 Penn Relays took place from April 23–25, featuring thousands of athletes from across the Caribbean and North America.
The team received high praise from spectators and supporters, who described their performance as “excellent.”
This groundbreaking experience provided invaluable exposure to international competition for the young athletes.
Photo Credit: James Adjodha