Last week, twelve Deerfield student-athletes took to the track at the 129th annual Penn Relays, held at Franklin Field in Philadelphia. Competing against top-tier talent from across the country, our students showcased speed and team spirit in one of the most prestigious track events in the nation.
The boys’ relay teams opened the competition on Thursday. In the morning, the 4×100 meter team raced with intensity, setting the tone for the weekend. Later that afternoon, Max Wang ‘25, Chuck Haight ‘26, Gus Mallory ‘26, and Cairon Harrison ‘25 delivered a strong performance in the 4×400 meter relay, securing a 5th place finish.
On Friday, the spotlight shifted to the girls. The 4×100 meter relay team – Alex Hermsdorf ‘25, Katherine Ni ‘26, Liv Kubica ‘28, and Zariah Hargrove ‘27– blazed around the track, finishing just one second behind Success Academy to earn a remarkable 2nd place (51:52).
The Big Green still hold the Penn Relays 4×100 meter event record from their team win in 2024. Last year’s team included Alex Hermsdorf, Zariah Hargrove, Campbell Fealy ’24, and Kaelin Creagh ’24.
Saturday brought the final event for Deerfield, and the team saved the best for last. In the girls’ 4×400 meter relay, Alex Hermsdorf, Zoe Galaburda ‘26, Taylor Wilburn ‘27, and Zariah Hargrove ran a commanding race, pulling away from the pack to win first place with a five second lead over the nearest competitor. The team crossed the finish line with a time of 4:16.45.
The weekend at Penn was more than a competition, but a celebration of the hard work and dedication of all the athletes who stepped on the track. Deerfield’s athletes return home not only with medals but with pride and momentum as they charge into the remainder of the season. Congratulations to all the athletes and coaches on an outstanding achievement at the Penn Relays!
For complete Penn Relays, click here.