PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - Egypt Bolan had the greatest day of her career on Friday when the Ljndenwold junior cleared a personal best in the high jump and finished as the top American at the 129th Penn Relays presented by Toyota.
Bolan, the NJ Indoor Meet of Champions winner last month, had been stuck on 5-8 and was waiting to make another huge breakthrough. It finally came on her first attempt at historic Franklin Field when she soared over the bar at 5-8.75 to secure a third place overall and the top American finish in the competition. Shanniqua Williams of St. Andrew in Jamaica won by clearing 5-11.50, and Danielle Noble of Wolmer's Girls School in Jamaica was third at 5-9.75.
"This was the most amazing experience ever,'' Bolan said of competing in front of close to 40,000 fans at the world's largest relay carnival. "All the energy I felt from the crowd really hyped me and helped me have the best day I''ve ever had. To finally get a new PR and finish third and win a gold watch for being the top American is more than I could have ever asked for.''
