Jamaica Gleaner
Published: Saturday | April 18, 2009
Home : Sport
US schools ready to take 4x800m
JAMAICAN High-school teams have dominated the boys' 4x800 metres at 'Penns' for the past three years as Holmwood Technical won in 2006, Kingston College in 2007 and Manchester High last year.

This year, however, it is going to be difficult for Jamaican teams to make it four in a row as Albermarle High School out of Charlottesville, Virginia, will be hard to beat.

In late March, at the Nike National Indoor Meet in Boston, they smashed the National High School Indoor record of 7:42.22 with a new mark of 7:36.99, also an Under-19 world record.

Gibson Relays winners, Jamaica College, will have to step up at least three notches. At Gibson, they clocked 7:41.91 to turn back a strong Holmwood team which did 7:43.01.

Known as the Patriots, the Americans, only a few weeks before the Nike Nationals, were impressive in winning the Virginia State Championships when they lapped all their rivals to win in 7:44.07 at the Boo Williams Sportplex in Hampton.

Both Jamaica College and Holmwood will be taking the fight to their opponents along with Kingston College who, though hit by injuries, are expected to enter a balanced team.

It is not beyond the Jamaican teams, however, as over the years some top favourites have been upset in this event.

However, based on their indoor performance, it will be a huge task for the Jamaicans to top this event. The 1990 Penn Relays record of 7:35.89 set by the Michael Williams-led St Jago team could be in danger.

- R.G.

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