Cold temperatures, rain and swirling winds could not stop Jamaica’s athletes from making their presence felt at the 130th staging of the Penn Relays in Philadelphia.
Despite some of the harshest weather conditions seen at Franklin Field in years, Jamaican schools and athletes delivered several standout performances across the high school and collegiate competitions, finishing the meet with eight victories overall.
From relay battles between traditional rivals to the emergence of another rising sprint star, Jamaica once again proved why it remains one of track and field’s global powerhouses.
Jamaica College Claims 4×100 Title Again
One of Jamaica’s biggest moments came in the High School Boys’ 4x100m Championship of America final, where Jamaica College powered to victory in difficult conditions.
With temperatures hovering in the low 50s Fahrenheit and steady rain falling throughout the day, athletes spent much of the afternoon sheltering beneath the stands before being called onto the track. Once the race began, however, the conditions mattered little to JC.
The quartet of Makaeean Woods, Nathaniel Martin, Elijah Smikle and anchor Kai Kelly combined for a winning time of 40.03 seconds, holding off longtime rivals Kingston College, who finished second in 40.26 seconds. St Jago High School placed fourth in 40.43 seconds, followed by Edwin Allen High School, Excelsior High School, Wolmer’s Boys’ School, Petersfield High School and St. Mary High School.
The win secured Jamaica College’s third High School Boys’ 4x100m Championship of America title.
Bullis Ends Jamaican Hold on 4×400 Crown
The High School Boys’ 4x400m Championship of America final once again delivered one of the most anticipated races of the meet, renewing the growing rivalry between Jamaican schools and American powerhouse Bullis School.
After last year’s dramatic Kingston College victory over Bullis, all eyes were on the rematch. Preliminary rounds once again set up a showdown between Bullis, Kingston College and Jamaica College.
This time, Bullis got its revenge behind teenage sprint sensation Quincy Wilson. Wilson, already an Olympic gold medallist before graduating high school, anchored his team to victory with a dominant final leg to reclaim the title for the United States for the first time since 2007.
Jamaica College finished third through the team of Rojay Black, Mackaden Woods, Deandre Guyee and Omary Robinson, while Kingston College placed fourth with Markel Smith, Jabulani McLeod, Jordan Rehedul and Jason Pitter. Munro College also reached the final, while Excelsior did not finish.
Gary Card Shines for UTech
At the collegiate level, Jamaican sprinting prospect Gary Card produced another breakthrough performance for University of Technology, Jamaica.
The former Wolmer’s Boys’ School standout announced himself early by clocking a personal best 10.03 seconds in the heats of the College Championship of America men’s 100m.
Card returned in the final and held his composure against a strong field that included British sprinter Louie Hinchliffe of the University of Houston. Running into cold and rainy conditions, Card crossed the line in 10.34 seconds to secure the title ahead of Joshua Onwunili of the University of Wisconsin, while Hinchliffe finished third in 10.40 seconds.
Still only 18 years old and training under renowned coach Stephen Francis at MVP Track Club, Card continues to establish himself as one of Jamaica’s most promising young sprinters.
Another Strong Showing for Jamaica
Though the weather cast a grey backdrop over Franklin Field, Jamaica’s athletes once again brought energy, depth and quality performances to one of track and field’s most historic meets.
From Jamaica College reclaiming sprint relay glory to Gary Card’s collegiate triumph and another memorable Jamaica-USA showdown in the 4x400m, the 2026 Penn Relays once again highlighted the enduring strength of Jamaican track and field on the international stage.
