Caribbean Athletes Ready for Penn Relays

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News Americas, New York, NY, April 22, 2025: The countdown is officially on for one of the most anticipated track and field events in the United States — the 2025 Penn Relays — and this year, the Caribbean is showing up in full force.

Team Jamaica Bickle’s founder, Irwine Clare, Sr., OD and athletes and volunteers in the Palestra at the University of the Pennsylvania for Penn Relays 2023 and the Labor of Love TJB 2023 presentation. (TJB image)

From April 24-26, student athletes from Jamaica, The Bahamas, Trinidad and Tobago, Belize, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines will compete against some of the top high school teams from across the United States in what promises to be a thrilling three days of athletics at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.

Among the many anticipated events, the High School Boys’ 4×800 and 4×400 meter relays will spotlight powerhouse Jamaican teams like Calabar, Kingston College, Jamaica College, Holmwood Tech, and Petersfield. Not to be outdone, Bahamian schools such as Bishop Eldon, St. Augustine’s, and Queens College will bring their best sprinters to the track, joined by top athletes from Belize’s Stann Creek, St. Vincent’s Thomas Saunders, and Grenada Boys’.

In the field events, Jamaican standouts like Joseph Salmon, Rajay Hemmings, and Shamir Kelly will battle for podium finishes in the discus, shot put, long jump, and high jump championships, alongside other Caribbean talents like The Bahamas’ Ethan North and Trinidad’s Tyrique Vincent.

TEAM JAMAICA BICKLE

Supporting these young talents once again is the tireless work of Team Jamaica Bickle (TJB) — the Jamaica, Queens-based nonprofit known for providing meals, medical support, and housing for Caribbean athletes at the Relays for over two decades. CEO Irwine Clare and his dedicated team are already on the ground at the event, offering crucial support to the young competitors.

Just days ahead of the carnival, TJB marked a milestone in its fundraising journey with a successful “Labor of Love Luncheon – Black Tie & Sneakers Gala” at the Cresthollow Country Club in Long Island on April 13th. The event was highlighted by a surprise US$15,000 pledge from keynote speaker Sandra Brunson — mother of NBA star Jalen Brunson and co-founder of the Second Round Foundation.

“Being the daughter of Jamaican parents is one of the greatest sources of pride in my life,” Brunson said. “They carried the spirit of Jamaica with them — its music, food, language, and culture — and poured it into my childhood home.”

Brunson emphasized the importance of organizations like TJB in nurturing young athletes, stating: “Meals, lodging, medical support — these are the quiet, powerful moments that allow talent to thrive.”

The gala also celebrated several notable individuals including four-time Olympian Dr. Nelson Christian Stokes, Karlene Largie of the Union of Jamaican Alumni Associations (USA), and Brunson herself.

Clare took the opportunity to thank longstanding partners like VP Records, Caribbean Food Delights, and Irie Jam Radio for their continued support, as well as artists such as Cocoa Tea, Johnny Osbourne, and Aza Lineage for their cultural contributions to TJB’s mission.

As the 2024 Penn Relays approach, Caribbean pride is running high — on the track, in the field, and in the hearts of those cheering these young athletes on. For tickets and more details, visit: The Penn Relays Ticket Portal.

Let the races begin!

Track Events for Thursday, April 23, 2025

High School Boys’ 4×800 Heats

Competing for a chance at the finals:

Calabar (JAM)
Alejandro Palmer, Kevaughn Richards, Justin Webb, Dujhaunti Lewis
Holmwood Technical (JAM)
Lerone Stewart, Antuwan Newland, Romario Lewis, Ricardo Griffiths
Kingston College (JAM)
Nahashon Ruto, Brian Kiprop, Christopher Anderson, Kamoi Tracey
Jamaica College (JAM)
Samuel Creary, Rasheed Pryce, Tyrone Lawson, Shemar Green

High School Boys’ 4×400 Heats

Bishop Eldon (BAH)
Alexander Coleby, Dishon Dean, Arcady Thompson, Takeo Stubbs
St. Augustine’s (BAH)
Jahcario Wilson, Shevano Nixon, Jireh Woodside, Dylan Simon
Queens College (BAH)
Zion Miller, Zion Davis, Leviticus Levarity, Andrew Brown
Temple Christian School (BAH)
Jason Ferguson, Ross Martin, Breck Kemp, Tieano Ferguson
Jack Hayward (BAH)
Shawn McFall, Zion Shepherd, Tyrone Conliffe, Lamorn Moxey
Stann Creek Ecumenical (BELIZE)
Francis Simon Arana, Silas Menelek Leslie, Kamron Alrick Gentle, Kenrick Wayne Avila Jr
Thomas Saunders Secondary (SVG)
Jod Baker, Jayden Wallace, Romarno Hector, Jahron Williams
Grenada Boys’ Secondary (GRD)
Josh Thomas, Jaylon St Louis, Nathan Hillaire, Kashay Stephen
St. Benedict’s College (TRI)
Jaleel Semper, Zaccheus Charles, Kyphm Richards, Jeremiah Joseph
Fatima College (TRI)
Qayshon Roberts, Elijah Gibbs-Clarke, Levi Smith, Tyriq Springer
Petersfield (JAM)
Devano Miller, Shoy Clayton, Alonzo James, Usain Bernard
Vere Technical (JAM)
Joshua Brown, Jhabarie Whyte, Shawn Palmer, Omar James
Denbigh (JAM)
Rayvon Black, Chanton White, Kingsley Hanson, Markland Williams
Jamaica College (JAM)
Omary Robinson, Makaelan Woods, Princewell Martin, DeAndre Gayle
Holmwood Tech (JAM)
Jaydon Collins, Omarie Williamson, Tiandre Downer, Shawn Walter
Cornwall College (JAM)
Zachery Cox, Matthew Webster, Mario Birch, Kemar Mclennon
Excelsior High (JAM)
Daniel Wright, Demarco Bennett, Kishawn Hoffman, Ricardo Carr
Munro College (JAM)
Oneil Brown, Nepaul Frater, Rasheed Buggam, Mickoy Curtis
St. George’s College (JAM)
Nathaneal Abrahams, Fransico Williams, Tajay Taylor, Nathaniel Robinson
Lacovia High (JAM)
Rosean Smith, Nicolas Blair, Nicholas Jones, Arron Senior
Rhodes Hall High (JAM)
Matthew Holmes, Derval Samuels, Dinardo Barnes, Richard Farrier
St. Jago High (JAM)
Tyreek Robinson, Rashad Buckle, Rushaine Richards, Brandon Harris
St. Elizabeth Technical (JAM)
Sawayne Kerr, Enrique Webster, Delano Brown, Joaqueem Miller
Calabar (JAM)
Keano Charles, Junior Gallimore, Micah Willis, Robert Miller
Titchfield High (JAM)
Tijan Blackett, Jamar Davis, Ajarie Bloomfield, Shavan Jarrett
Foga Road High (JAM)
Paul Henry, Denzel Carter, Javoy Green, Taijon Ricketts
Kingston College (JAM)
Tajh Marques White, Jabulani Mcleod, Marcinho Rose, Roshawn Lee
Maggotty High (JAM)
Zachary Wallace, Domonique Anderson, Gage Buggam, Yoshane Bowen
Alphansus Davis High (JAM)
Jerise Books, Jephton Campbell, Raheem Palmer, Tyrie Hopkins
Mona High (JAM)
Kimani Grant, Kevin Bliss, Daniel Peart, Antwon Smith
Muschett High (JAM)
Shavoy Thompson, Osmond Holt, Johan-Romaldo Smythe, Kevin Eccleston
St. Catherine High (JAM)
Paul Bent, Balfour Thomas, Shan-o Francis, Javaine Coore
Bridgeport High (JAM)
Jordan Johnson, Amani Williams, Joel Lunan, Xavier Bailey
William Knibb High (JAM)
Sebastine Ellis, Dejuan Green, Khimani Gordon, Rae’Jhaun Riley

🏅Field Events for April 23, 2025

Discus Throw Championship

Joseph Salmon – Jamaica College (JAM)
Rajay Hemmings – St. Catherine (JAM)
Delon Smith – Calabar (JAM)
Daijon Budhai – Kingston College (JAM)
Rajeem Streete – Munro College (JAM)
Dylan Logan – Kingston College (JAM)

Shot Put Championship

Despiro Wray – Kingston College (JAM)
Devonte Edwards – Munro College (JAM)
Marlando Farquason – Cornwall College (JAM)
Javonte Smith – Munro College (JAM)

Triple Jump Championship

Michael-Andre Edwards – Jamaica College (JAM)
Nicardo Grey Clarke – Wolmer’s Boys (JAM)
Carlin Archer – St. Augustine’s (BAH)
Demian Brice – St. Augustine’s (BAH)

Javelin Throw Championship

Tarique Daley – Calabar (JAM)
Addison James – Edwin Allen (JAM)
Jayvoni Neckles – Jamaica College (JAM)
Ojay Ellis – Munro College (JAM)
Alexander Betancourt – Kingston College (JAM)
Ethan North – Queens College (BAH)

Long Jump Championship

Shamir Kelly – Kingston College (JAM)
Romaine Lewis – Calabar (JAM)
Rikoy Hunter – St. Elizabeth Tech (JAM)
Kenomar Jones – Cornwall College (JAM)
Tonies King – St. Mary High (JAM)
Edward Sterling – Wolmer’s Boys (JAM)
Tyrique Vincent – Fatima College (TRI)
Davon Davis – Queens College (BAH)

High Jump Championship

Chavez Penn – Jamaica College (JAM)
Aaron McKenzie – Kingston College (JAM)
Santino Distin – Herbert Morrison (JAM)
Tejahni Haynes – Kingston College (JAM)

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