Ari Lambie anchors Stanford to a U.S. record in the 4 x 1500m relay at the 112th Penn Relays (© Kirby Lee/Image of Sport)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USAThe Stanford women got the upper hand of Villanova in the women’s 4 x 1500m relay with an American record in the 112th Penn Relays at the University of Pennsylvania’s Franklin Field on Friday 28 April.
After losing to Villanova in the distance medley relay on Thursday, a Stanford quartet of Amanda Trotter, Lauren Centrowitz, Katy Trotter and Arianna Lambie responded with a convincing victory in 17:18.63 to highlight the second day of the three-day meeting before a crowd of 29,443.
The performance smashed the American record of 17:22.72 set by Wisconsin at the 1990 Penn Relays. The mark also ranks No. 2 on the collegiate list behind Villanova’s 17:18.10 also run at Penn in 1990.
Stanford Continues 4 x 1500m Relay Dominance
Stanford’s 4 x 1500m victory was its third in a row and by far its fastest, eclipsing the Cardinals' school record 17:26.88 win at Penn in 2004.
It was a particularly satisfying victory for twin sisters Amanda and Katy Trotter (New Jersey), Lauren Centrowitz (Maryland) and Arianna Lambie (Massachusetts), who all hail from the East Coast and competed in the Penn Relays in high school. Lambie broke a 23-year-old Penn record in the high school mile as a senior at Bromfield School in 2003.
Amanda Trotter opened with a 4:20.3 carry to give Stanford the lead from the outset. Centrowitz followed with a 4:18.9 split on the second leg and Katy Trotter, ran 4:24.3 on the third.
Lambie, who was overtaken by Villanova’s Marina Muncan (SCG) in the homestretch of the 1600m anchor in the distance medley, extended Stanford’s lead over Villanova’s Muncan with a 4:15.3 anchor. Villanova finished second at 17:28.00.
“(Muncan) was definitely on the back of my mind,” Lambie said. “I was nervous that she would be there. I was not thinking about the (American record). I was thinking about not slowing down and letting up.’’
Centrowitz and Hooker continue Family traditions
The Centrowitz and Hooker families each recorded two victories on Friday. Lauren Centrowitz’s younger brother, Matt, won the high school boys 3000m at Penn on Friday in 8:20.09 for the third fastest mark in meet history.
Lauren is the second member of her family to hold an American record. Her father Matt Centrowitz set an American 5000m record of 13:12.91 in 1982, a time that still ranks ninth on the all-time U.S. performer list.
Texas freshman Destinee Hooker won the high jump at 1.88m. Her senior sister, Marshevet, anchored a Longhorn 4 x 100m relay of LaTashia Kerr, Alexandria Anderson and Melaine Walker to a 43.00 win.
Marshevet also ran to a 11.44 100m heat win for the No. 2 qualifying time behind Louisiana State’s Kelly Ann Baptiste (TRI) who clocked 11.28.
Yet another title for Gerraughty
North Carolina senior Laura Gerraughty, who won a record fourth Penn Relays title in the Shot Put on Thursday, added a win in the Discus Throw at 53.43m. It was her seventh individual title along with a college Discus win in 2003 and a win in the high school Shot Put while at New Hampshire’s Nashua High in 2000.
Brian Robison of Texas defeated defending champion Vikas Gowda of North Carolina to win the men’s Discus, 59.60m to 58.75m.
Other Highlights...
The Texas men won their first Penn distance medley (1200m-400m-800m-1600m) title after Leonel Manzano held off Josepat Boit (KEN) of Arkanas on the 1,600m anchor. Manzano, the 2005 NCAA 1,500m champion, turned in a 3:56.8 split with Boit running 3:55.8 for the Razorbacks, who were denied their third title in five years.
Powell Enters 100m
Today’s competition will feature an appearance in the 100m by world record holder Asafa Powell of Jamaica, who confirmed his participation during a a press conference Friday afternoon.
It will be Powell’s second appearance at Penn. The 2006 Commonwealth Games champion anchored Jamaica’s University of Technology to a win in the College Championship of America 4 x 200m relay in 2003.
Saturday’s schedule also includes the annual USA vs. The World relay competition. Justin Gatlin, Shawn Crawford, Leonard Scott, Felix Sanchez, Bernard Lagat, Tyree Washington, Bershawn Jackson, Wallace Spearmon and Kerron Clement are scheduled to run in the men’s competition that include the 4 x 100m, 4 x 400m and distance medley relays.
Lauryn Williams, Sanya Richards, Rachelle Boone-Smith, Lashinda Demus, Tianna Madison, Angela Daigle and Muna Lee are expected in the women’s side in the 4 x 100m, 4 x 400m and sprint medley relays.
Kirby Lee for the IAAF
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