2008 Penn Relays

USA vs The World has always been an exiting meet to attend and participate in. I can remember in college counting down the days until we would come to the PENN RELAYS. Chris's first year at the Penn Relays resulted in a 3rd place finish in the decathlon while he was a sophomore. I actually participated in the relays in college when we attended.

The thing I enjoy the most is the crowd, the atmosphere and of course the loud Jamaicans. You enter the stadium on Saturday and all you see is green, yellow and black. Jamaican flags, shoes, clothing and of course you smell Jamaican patties/Jerk chicken in the air. OOHHHH what good food...if you haven't tried it make sure you get some authentic food, no wanna be's. It's definitely not the same. You see me I am lucky to have my mother stew up some oxtails/red beans and rice, and my other relatives they make the rum cake. Before the meet my family will state how well the JA's will do. But I have to let them know that USA will always come out on top, the wonderful red, white and blue.

This was the case in many of the relays for the Americans, even though Jamaica did come out on top in some events. Whenever we prepare for USA relay meets, you really never know what team you will be made up of or even what leg you will run until the day before. For me training was heading in the right direction and I was ready to be on any team and run my best. I was on the team made up of Wineberg, Felix, Hastings, and Richards.(same girls from World's prelim and Final...missing Trotter) We ended up running a Penn Relays record and winning in first place over the rest of the field. It was such a good feeling to be able to pass the baton on and really see us make up some ground.

After winning we were able to get up on the podium and accept our Penn relay watches. I now have three watches...hey I will always know the time. This meet was also exciting because some of the UC athletes and Chris were able to stay behind and watch me run. It always helps to have support!!! My mom, family and friends make sure they catch me on TV...and hopefully you fans watch and are screaming at the TV for me to RUN, RUN MARY, AS FAST AS YOU CAN!!!!!