Starting yesterday, athletes from all over the country and the world started participating at the prestigious Penn Relays in Philadelphia. Through tomorrow, the Penn State men's track and field team will run, throw and jump against some of the best athletes in the world in an environment that is similar to a carnival.
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[ Friday, April 29, 2005 ]
Men's Outdoor Track
Relays a top annual event
By Nkrumah Makinwa
Collegian Staff Writer
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Penn Relays
Today and tomorrow
Franklin Field Philadelphia |
"The atmosphere is nuts at the Penn Relays," Penn State freshman Michael Syrnick said.
The Relays bring together athletes from the high school, college and professionals levels and athletes from the international scene.
PHOTO: Allison Skiff
Penn State junior Scott Vernon, competes in the men's hammer throw.
In total, there will be about 12,000 athletes packed into Franklin Field at the University of Pennsylvania, not including the crowd, which will feature people from Jamaica, Britain and Canada.
Penn State has been competing at the Relays since 1896, while Penn State track and field head coach Harry Groves has been attending the meet for the last 41 years.
Groves has watched the Relays swell to include women's track and become an important cog in an athlete's development.
"The quality has increased tremendously in the whole sport," Groves said. "The facilities are so much better than they used to be and so have the performances."
He added that the meet has become more competitive because of the number of teams that are participating. Although the Relays place an emphasis on individuals, the relay events are ultra competitive because they throws together some of the best athletes in the world.
Athletes can compete at different levels at the Relays such as the collegiate level or the Championship of America level. Winning at the Championship of America level immediately propels you onto the national stage.
"It is one of the high points of the season," Groves said. "If you win here, you are one of the best in the U.S., especially in the relays."
PHOTO: Allison Skiff
Sophomore Jon Hart contorts his body to release the hammer out of the cage at the Nittany Lion Relays earlier this season.
Heading into the meet, the Nittany Lions are feeling confident and determined to strut their stuff. Last year, the 4x200 meter team qualified for the Championship of America level, where it was the top IC4A finisher. The Lions also had six NCAA regional qualifying marks/times.
"We are pretty confident," Syrnick said. "Everyone is peaking at the right time."
The Lions also understand that in such an ultra-competitive and fast-paced environment, they will have to rely on each other for support.
"I think if we can get a couple of relays, people will feed off that," senior Chris Lolagne said.
The excitement has been building up all week. For some of the Lions, this is a trip back to a meet at which they have been competing since high school or have always dreamt about competing in.
Penn State comes into the Relays with the same focus that it has had throughout the outdoor season.
"This is where you come to showoff," Groves said. "If you win here, you are not just good but damn good."
