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The Union Catholic girls produced one the most remarkable feats in the 128 year history of the Penn Relays when the Vikings leveled up and qualified for three Championship of America races on Thursday at historic Franklin Field.
UC flexed its depth, range, and ridiculous firepower by advancing to the Championship of America 4x100, 4x400, and 4x800-meter relay finals, a triple that very few U.S. teams have ever pulled off!
The historic trifecta by Union Catholic began when the Vikings ran the fastest time in the 4x800 heats with a 9:02.27. A couple hours later, the 4x100 squad ran 47.07 to advance, and then four hours later UC's 4x400 crew completed the electrifying hat trick by winning its heat in 3:45.11, No. 14 in NJ history, to clinch its spot in the C of A race.
On Friday, UC will run in the 4x100 C of A final a 2:15 p.m., the 4x400 C of A final at 4:55 p.m., and will defend their 4x800 C of A title at 6:15 p.m. UC will joined in the 4x800 C of A by Rumson (9:04.67), and by Timber Creek (3:46.04) in the 4x400 C of A.
The Vikings used 11 different athletes to complete their trilogy.
In the 4x800, sophomore Jimmiea King, senior Peyton Hollis, freshman Sophia Thompson, and freshman Paige Sheppard shared the baton. The 4x100 lineup consisted of junior Taylor Aska, junior Taylor Cox, senior Leah Gould, and sophomore Natalia Thompson, and the 4x400 quartet was Aska (55.97), freshman Sydney Chadwick (55.65), freshman Abriyah Thompson (56.63), and freshman Rhia Randolph (56.88).
Aska, the only UC runner to double, said UC made a huge statement with its performance.
"By making three Championship of America finals we showed everyone what a well-rounded, balanced and powerful team,'' said Aska. "From sprinters to distance runners, our team can do it all.'
UC heads into Friday's finals favored to win the 4x800, but as big underdogs to the loaded Jamaican teams in the 4x100 and 4x400.
In the 4x800, UC is not only seeking its second straight title, but it has the talent to take down the national record of 8:43.12 set by Eleanor Roosevelt of Maryland at the 2008 Penn Relays.
In the 4x100, UC's 47.07 was the final time that that made the 9-team final. Defending champ Hydel of Jamaica ran the fastest time in the qualifying rounds with a 45.99.
But Cox said don't count out the Vikings who ran 46.07 last week, in the 4x100.
"I think we ready to go 45 mid in the 4x100 tomorrow and make some noise,'' said Cox.
If UC can run in the mid 45's, the state record could go down! The target time for the Vikings is 45.50, the state record that Montclair set at the 1998 Penn Relays.
In the 4x400, UC's 3:45.11 was the fifth fastest time of the day. Edwin Allen of Jamacia (3:41.33) and Hydel of Jamaica (3:41.47) were the 2 fastest teams in the qualifying heats.
Randolph said her squad can slice a lot of time and contend with the heavily favored Jamaican teams.
"I think we can all take a second off and get close to 3:40, and that should put us right in the mix with the top teams,'' said Randolph.