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| Dwight Thomas anchors Jamaica to victory in the 4x100 metres at the Penn Relays last year. |
Attention was previously drawn to the amount of local high schools taking part in T&T Carifta Games trials. QRC & Bishops were the exceptions. The games are basically geared towards high school age representation. This might be the intentional design of NACAC. Observations show that approximately 96 percent of Jamaica high schools took part in their Carifta trials. Athletes represented their schools, not their clubs.
This shows the systemic approach to track & field development in Jamaica. The same can not be said for T&T. The twin islands have a high school population of over 100,000 students. There is an issue to be addressed here! T&T have a mix gender club population of just over 300 athletes on the NAAA register. Do the math and you will see the data. The results will show our lack of production. The assumption is that our students have no desire to represent their high schools. This is incorrect. Our track & field club coaches and physical education teachers have a serious problem.
T&T must find a way for high schools and clubs to co-exist. There is a non recognition of talent in our system. The responsible parties must coach. They must teach. It is their chosen tour of duty. Let the children represent their school. We must expose our talent to recruiting venues. Ignite the chariots of fires in their spirit. Offer them the opportunity of a life time. Awesome mind explosion experiences. Competing in the Penn Relays offers exposure to college scholarship possibilities. Our clubs do not have access to these resources. The Penn Relays are the largest annual track and field meet in the United States and the largest annual relay meet in the world. Over the course of three days, 19,000 athletes from all levels will race in front of 115,000 spectators. The 2012 Penn Relays will be held from April 26 - 28. Check out how to get involved:
High School Boys & Girls
Taken from the Penn Relay release
1. All high school competitors must compete for their high school teams and be cleared for competition by the school principal. Relay teams must consist of runners from the same school.
2. Competition in the high school division of the Relay Carnival is under the supervision of official representatives of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association.
To be eligible for competition in the Carnival High School events, a school must conform to the following:
1. Be a member in good standing or recognized as an allied member in good standing of its own State High School Athletic Association, or;
2. If not so recognized, it must be approved by its own State High School Athletic Association as having eligibility standards which conform to or are stricter than those of the State Association.
3. Specific eligibility requirements, such as that of age limit, shall be those established by the State High School Athletic Association under which they regularly compete. However, in no instance may an athlete exceed the following limits: Age limit: athlete may not turn 20 before July 1 of 2012.
4. Non-member schools from states other than Pennsylvania must be approved or recommended for competition by their state association which is a member of the National Federation in order to compete in championship qualifying or individual events. Schools that are neither approved nor recommended for competition will be placed in separate “prep school” events in the 4?100 and 4?400. Non-member schools from any state other than New York, whether they are approved/recommended or not, may opt to participate in the non-member class in the 4?100 and 4?400, but must indicate this on a separate letter submitted before the entry deadline.
5. Relay Substitutions: The rules of the IAAF regarding replacement on relays will apply for colleges and high schools. This allows for two substitutions. Only four medals or watches will be awarded.
6. Track and Field Surfaces: The track, all jumping surfaces and the javelin runways are synthetic surfaces of 3/8 thickness.
7. Spikes: Only 1/4 spikes are allowed. No corkscrew spikes will be allowed. Spikes will be checked.
Standards for high school entries
4x100– all accepted
4x400– 3:40.0
4x800 – 8:15.0
Distance medley –10:35.0
Mile – 4:20.0
1500m– 4:01.0
3000m – 8:45.0
2 Miles– 9:23.0
400m hurdles–55.00
300m hurdles–38.00
High jump 2.01 (6-7)
Pole vault– 4.35 (14-3 1/4)
Long jump– 6.90 (22-7 3/4)
Triple jump– 13.80 (45-3 1/2)
Shot putt– 16.30 (53-5 3/4)
Discus throw –46.00 (150-11)
Javelin throw– 55.00 (180-5)
Achievement of the above standards does not guarantee acceptance. Athletes may not compete in more than one individual event.
Do not list more than four names. However, you may run any legitimate student whether listed or not.
Entries for Girls and Boys:
1. They will accept almost all 4x100 and 4x400 Relays.
2. They will accept approximately 70 4x800 Relays.
3. They will accept approximately 15 Distance Medleys.
Note that the IAAF rule regarding two relay substitutions is in effect.
Confirmation of receipt of entry and payment is verified on the Web site (http://www.ThePennRelays.com).
Estimated cost per team
6 athletes, 1 coach travel to
Philadelphia via Caribbean Air round trip = US$3,500
6 athletes in two rooms @ US$65 per night. 4 nights =US $262
1 coach. 1 room @ US$65 for 4 nights = US$262
Meals for 7 persons @ $ 40.00 per day for 4 days = $ 1,120
Ground transportation 8 trips by taxi @ $ 30 per trip= US$240
Total costs= US$5,384
