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Mico’s Foster ‘feels honoured’ with Penns first
April 28, 2025
PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania:
Led by Rasheed Foster, Penn Relays 2025 will long be remembered by The Mico University College as the Marescaux Road-based institution had its best ever showing at the event.
Foster was crowned male 100m college champion after capturing the event in 10.46 seconds, improving on his 10th-place finish in the heats last year. He also helped his team win the College Men's 4x100m relay in 40.89 seconds.
Coming off his recent win in the event at the Jamaica Intercollegiate Championships -- where he successfully defended his title -- and his call-up to Jamaica's senior 4x100m relay squad for next weekend's World Relays in Guangzhou, Tokyo, for his first national call-up at any level, Foster is very thankful for his recent achievements.
"First I want to thank God for this incredible blessing. After winning at Intercol, I had the opportunity to represent Mico on a much bigger stage. At Penn Relays last year, I finished 10th in the preliminary round of the event, but I never gave up on my dream," said Foster.
"This year, I am proud to be the new 100m college champion at Penns after overcoming several challenges," he continued.
He is even happier to be the first from the institution to win the title at Penns.
"I am honoured to be the first Mico athlete -- and the first Jamaican since 2014 -- to achieve this winning feat. I am grateful to Mico for the opportunity to represent them, to my family for the unwavering support, to my teammates and coach for their motivation and guidance, and for always having my back," stated Foster.
Finally, he shared what the win means to him.
"This victory isn't just about me, it's for everyone who believed in me. Never give up on your dream," said the former Charlemont High School graduate.
HYDEL RECORD
Meanwhile, Hydel High and Edwin Allen High scored big victories on Saturday's final day of competition at the meet's 129th staging.
After failing to hold on to their 4x100m relay title earlier -- losing to Edwin Allen -- it was a pumped-up Hydel team that turned up for the final event of the day, the 4x400m. The quartet of Nastassia Fletcher, Abigail Campbell, Sashana Johnson and Jody Ann Daley stamped their authority with a new record of 3:30.42, breaking their previous mark of 3:32.77 set in 2022, and, in the process, made it four wins in a row.
Bullis High from Maryland were second in 3:33.30, with Edwin Allen third in 3:36.14, Holmwood fourth in 3:38.80, and Immaculate Conception sixth in 3:43.17.
Campbell, in her final year competing for Hydel, and young Fletcher spoke about their team's big win.
"As usual, I knew it was 'go time', and I know my teammates well. I knew we were ready. We knew we were the best team coming to Penns, and winning and producing a school record -- what else can we ask for?," she said.
"I was not nervous as I knew what we had to do, and I just came out there and followed the instructions of my coach," said Fletcher.
Competing earlier in heavy rain, the Edwin Allen girls maintained their composure to capture the Championships of America 4x100m relay in a swift 44.23 seconds, returning to winning ways after their last victory two years ago. Defending champions Hydel, seeking to make it three wins in a row, had to settle for second in 44.65, with Bullis High was third in 44.99. Holmwood Technical (45.51) and Wolmer's (45.57), the other Jamaican teams in the final, ended fourth and fifth, respectively.
Edwin Allen got a blinding start from Kerielle Etienne, and Jounee Armstrong extended the lead on the second leg. Renecia Edwards maintained the advantage on the third leg, before Alexxe Edwards on anchor powered the team to victory.
Edwin Allen's head coach Michael Dyke was very pleased.
"For the past two years it was a drought, and we were determined that this year we would break that. We put the team together well, and we got a bullet start from Etienne," said Dyke.
