PHILADELPHIA Pa. - Union Catholic torched the track with a sizzling 47.48, Paramus Catholic burned a 48.48, and Willingboro brought the heat with a 48.78 as the three NJ squads qualified for the Northeast 4x100 Championship race at the 127th Penn Relays presented by Toyota on Friday at Franklin Field.
The nine-team Northeast Championship race is scheduled for Saturday at 4:30 p.m.
Union Catholic just missed making its second Championship of America race of the day when the foursome of sophomore Taylor Aska, sophomore Taylor Cox, junior Leah Gould, and freshman Natalia Williams won their 4x100 heat in 47.48. That was the 10th fastest time among the 547 teams that ran, one spot and just .11 behind the 47.37 the South County of Virginia ran to grab the final spot in the C of A race.
It was a remarkable day for Union Catholic, who ran 9:11.26 to advance to the 4x800 C of A earlier in the day.
The Vikings head into the Northeast Championship race as the favorite.
"We knew that we were ready to run fast, so to go under 48 and make it to a final tomorrow is great,'' said Cox. "And I know we can go faster tomorrow if the weather is ok.''
Paramus Catholic's 4x100 lineup consisted of Gina Rubio, Brianna DeSanto, Gabby Snell, and Sydney Dungey.