With the winter track and field season in the rearview mirror, and the spring season underway, many LM runners are already looking forward to their ultimate test: the 128th annual Penn Relays. From April 25-27, teams of four will compete at the University of Pennsylvania’s historic Franklin Field in the largest track and field competition in the nation. Both the boys’ and girls’ teams will take part, eager to prove themselves on a national stage. With an audience of over 50,000 spectators, the Aces are more than ready to establish themselves as a juggernaut in the track world.
After a successful winter season for the girls’ team, they are planning to enter a 4×400 meter relay and a 4×100 meter relay into the meet; these events consist of four runners handing off a baton to each other after they each run 400 meters or 100 meters, respectively. They could also possibly enter a 4×800 team if they can produce a qualifying time before the competition. Led by head coach Sandy Hoopes, the team has seen success in the past, including last year’s 4×100 team consisting of Faith Law ’24, Elia Bonita ’25, Emily Zhang ’24 and Akaylia Grey ’25, posting a time of 53.43. In the 4×400 last year, Aine McCann ’24, Bonita, Law and Zhang produced a time of 4:16.40. When asked about her anticipation of the competition, Zhang responded, “Penn Relays is one of the most exciting parts of the season!” As one of the largest high school sports events of the year, Zhang describes it as “so incredible to see so many different runners all coming together for one meet..” The Aces are certainly eager to once again remind the world why they are one of the top running programs in the nation.
Fresh off their school-record distance medley relay (DMR) at New Balance Nationals Indoor, the boys’ team is ready to dominate the Penn Relays. At the helm is head coach Kevin London, leading his team in the 4×100, 4×400, and DMR. With a competitive team filled with talent from top to bottom, the Aces will be more than capable of turning a few heads. In the 4×100, expect Omari Tyler-Dowana ’24 and his team to “stand on business one last time” in their attempt to take home some hardware. In addition to LM’s sprint relays, the Aces will attempt to run it back with the same DMR team that scored a school record of 10:21, good for eighth in the nation, and impressed thousands only a few months ago. A DMR is similar to a traditional relay race, but a singular distance is not repeated; instead, it involves four runners, or legs, running 1200, 400, 800 and 1600 meters, in that order. The team will consist of Alex Mazzeo ’26, Nick Jeudy ’24, Alex Goonewardene ’24 and Nick Mazzeo ’26, running 1200, 400, 800 and 1600 meters, respectively. When asked about their upcoming race, A. Mazzeo asserted that “the outstanding competition at Penn Relays could push us to another nationally competitive time.”
While their expectations are high, the Aces are used to such impressive standards. LM’s historically great track program is no stranger to success; one only has to look at their championship and district record. Clearly, LM is beyond excited to arrive at Franklin Field in only a few weeks. Until then, they will be busy training and dominating the Central League once again.
