TSSS set for another Penn Relays showing

The Thomas Saunders Secondary (TTSS) School will run this Friday and Saturday in the 4 x 100m, and 4 x 400m boys races respectively, when the 123rd edition of the Penn Relays is staged at the University of Pennsylvania’s Franklin Field, Philadelphia, USA.

Thomas Saunders Secondary’s event on Friday is listed as No. 326, with 10:40 a.m. scheduled for the start of the 4 x 100m heat, while on Saturday, the 4 x 400m event is No. 427 and is set for a 10:25 a.m. run-off.

Seven male athletes will represent the school, as the Thomas Saunders Secondary is doing so for the seventh straight year.

Zenron Chance, who is making his second outing to the Penn Relays, is joined by six debutants – Atiba Duncan, Mourice Foster, Inglis Daniel, Immanuel Henry, Aaron Hazell and Joel Jack.

They are accompanied by head coach Godfrey Harry, assistant coach Javed Marksman and manager Farrah Bailey.

TSS made the qualifying standard for the Penn Relays at the KFC Relays held in Grenada last February, by clocking 3 minutes 33.12 seconds.

The qualifying standard for the 4x 400 is 3 minutes 40 seconds, while the 4 x 100m has no qualifying time set.

The TTSS began Vincentian participation in the Penn Relays in 2011, with a seven-member male team making the debut participation.

A female team was added in 2012, and continued for the next four years.

However, the females were unable to make the qualifying time for this year’s Penn Relays.

Thomas Saunders’ best showing in the 4 x 100m males was the 44.37 seconds clocking achieved in the 2012 edition, run by Ronique Dowers, Kezlon Providence, Abiola Hinds and Brandon Valentine-Parris.

Meanwhile, the male quartet of Neilo Thomas, Rojike Thorpe, Erasto Da Silva and Kailon Kirby registered 3 minutes 25.72 seconds in the 4 x 400m in 2015, which is the best time done by the school at the Penn Relays.

Both the males and females have been able to win their heats, but have not advanced to the next phase.

In 2012, the quartet of Brandon Valentine, Ronique Dowers, Desron Wilson and Shaquille Browne won the 4x 400m in 3 minutes 29.97 seconds.

Similarly, two years ago, the combination of Kerina Hooper, Romesha Spencer, Zamesha Myle and Jasmine Robertson, clocked 4 minutes 08.15 seconds in the females 4 x 400m to lead their heat.

And, last year, Azari Samuel, Neilo Thomas, Zenron Chance and Edwin Weston were first to cross the finish line in the 4x 400m preliminaries in a time of 3 minutes 29.76 seconds.

Joining the Thomas Saunders Secondary is the St Vincent Grammar School, entering the Penn Relays for the first time.

Both teams left here last Friday night en route to Philadelphia.