The 130th edition of the iconic Penn Relays Carnival kicked off Thursday at Philadelphia’s historic Franklin Field, delivering a fairytale final chapter to Marla Kay Lampart’s collegiate athletic career at Clarendon College, as the Jamaican athlete claimed the top spot on the girls’ shot put podium with a personal best throw of 14.41 meters.
Lampart, who secured 11th place in the same competition a year prior, steadily built momentum throughout the rounds. She catapulted into the lead during the third round with a strong 14.10-meter throw, then outdid herself on her final attempt to lock in the gold with her season-best performance.
This victory marks a significant milestone for Jamaican track and field: Lampart is the first Jamaican athlete to win the girls’ shot put title at the Penn Relays since Brittania Johnson of Camperdown High claimed gold back in 2023.
Isabella Furgison from Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, took home the silver medal with a throw of 14.08 meters, while Nesta Oji of Livingston, New Jersey, rounded out the top three with a 13.43-meter effort. Saje Cruickank of Alpha Academy finished seventh overall with a 12.61-meter throw.
In the concurrent girls’ discus throw championship event, Jamaica’s Dionjah Shaw of Edwin Allen High claimed second place with a best throw of 48.87 meters. Clarendon College’s Jamelia Young repeated her third-place finish from the 2023 competition, recording a throw of 48.66 meters. Brandane Malcolm of Hydel High landed in fourth position with a 45.03-meter throw, followed by Tanique Dunn of Marymount High in fifth with 55.52 meters. Notably, Abigail Bennett of Merl Grove High, who placed fourth last year, encountered a rough start to the competition, fouling all three of her first-round attempts and failed to advance.
Over in the girls’ javelin throw competition, another Jamaican competitor earned a podium finish: Zoelle Jamel of Immaculate Conception took silver with a 48.84-meter throw, while Ramona Freemantle of Vere Technical secured fifth place with a 44.40-meter throw.
The opening day of the 2024 Penn Relays already delivered standout performances from Jamaican track and field athletes, with multiple athletes finishing in top positions across throwing events, highlighting the country’s deep talent development in youth and collegiate track and field.