Penn Relays: Archbishop Wood 4×400 relay brings its best to Franklin Field
PHILADELPHIA — The Archbishop Wood girls not only soaked in the atmosphere but thrived in it.
Putting together their finest 4×400-meter run of the season, the Vikings surged to second place in the Philadelphia Catholic Championship Saturday, creating memories on the move on a rainy but thrilling afternoon at the Penn Relays.
Said Sofia Krawczyk of Wood: “It’s a great experience. I always love coming here. It’s a hard race, the 400. There are a lot of nerves…But I like it.”
Krawczyk joined teammates Jenell Moebius, Katie Sullivan and Gwen Hamilton for a time of 4 minutes, 18.39 seconds, as Wood overcame several tough rivals in front of a rain-drenched but spirited crowd at Franklin Field.
“It was a great experience,” said Sullivan. “It was one of the hardest races ever…All of these girls deserve to be here.”
Lansdale Catholic raced to third in the event, as a foursome of Kate Norbury, Mia Norbury, Paige Heppard and Kate McManus finished in 4:22.40. Archbishop Ryan and West Catholic rounded out the top five.
The Wood boys also ran in the Philly Catholic race, placing fourth (3:32.01) with a team of Dylan Cappiello, Michael Funk, Colby Michaels and Albert Funk.
The Wood girls made a tremendous jump from last season at The Penn Relays, when they raced to sixth in 4:34.09. Krawczyk returned from that squad and had one of her best quarter miles on Saturday.
It took a tremendous performance by Bonner Prendergast (4:14.21) to keep Wood from the top spot.
“You pump a lot of adrenaline but that helps you run faster,” Jenell Moebius said of the experience of competing at Franklin Field. “I just kept pushing until I got to the finish line.”
The postseason awaits, but The Penn Relays – which celebrated its 127th running on Saturday – always provides something extra.
“It’s such a memorable experience,” Hamilton said. “I just love this track.”
