On Thursday, April 25, the Raiders girls 4×400 team earned first place in their heat at Penn Relays at the University of Pennsylvania’s Franklin Field.

The team consisted of freshmen Savannah Hudson and Tyler Midrano, and seniors Keira Kelly and Abi Elliott; the four combined to run a 4:08.42 1600m, which ranked them first in their heat for event 151.

Kelly anchored the final 400 meters of the race with a blistering time of 59.31 seconds.

“Abi Elliott put us in a great position [through the first 400 meters] while our 2 freshmen Savannah Hudson and Tyler Midrano kept us in the top three, ahead of multiple teams from across the nation,” Kelly told The Fanscotian. “My adrenaline took over as I passed two runners and heard my name announced when I emerged in first place before crossing the finish line.”

Created in 1895, 140 years after the establishment of the University, the UPenn Relay Carnival (more commonly known as the “Penn Relays”) allows track and field athletes from around the world to compete at the historic university.

“When you have college, international and high school athletes there, everyone is giving their best effort and It’s a great experience,” SPFHS Track & Field coach Daniel Doherty said. “That’s why we brought a couple of freshmen girls we want[ed] to have that experience and be a part of that type of atmosphere.”

Going up against athletes from all levels and coming out on top has instilled a sense of accomplishment and pride among the 4×400 team.

“Looking up to see my image and our school name listed in first place on the jumbotron in that major of a venue was incredible,” Kelly said. “To be awarded medals and a mini wheel for winning our heat was truly an unexpected ‘Cinderella moment’ for our relay team and was bittersweet considering we had no expectations of this high level of success going into it.”

The team and program look to continue their success into the future sectional, state and potentially national competitions as the season progresses.