GBTC at Penn Relays

This year's Penn Relay Olympic Development squad, a men's weekend out. Traveling down to Philadelphia, GBTC's Drew Soltysiak, Christian Tirella, Francis Shen, David Cahill, Derek Hebert and Coach David Callum.

OD meet results and more found HERE.

The 4x1 and 4x4 Relay Squad

Opening action in Event 123 on Friday at 1:25pm, the 4x100 of Dave Cahill to Christian Tirella to Derek Hebert to Francis Shen. With clean unpracticed handoffs, the team finished 15th out of 26, despite our 3rd leg Derek pulling his hamstring in the first 40m, he powered through the curve to handoff to Francis getting the baton around the track.

Between relays, javelin thrower Drew Soltysiak followed up last weekend's Holy Cross PR throw with another 1.5 meter PR, finishing in the Olympic Development medals for third with a very big 65.00 meter (213ft 3in) toss.

With the injury to Derek, team driver-Coach-relay alternate Dave Callum was called up off the bench to run in the 4x400, Event 158 at 6pm. Leading off the squad, David Cahill (52sec) kept the team in the mix with 17 teams on the track at once! Francis Shen (53sec) found himself in limbo on the second leg, but kept his ground for a solid quarter. Coach Dave (54sec) held position through 330m when he lost his transmission off the final turn, one team took advantage and pounced. Christian Tirella used the opportunity to chase himself to a great 48.3 anchor leg (ready to break the 48 boundary). GBTC finished 12th out of the 17 teams for a 3:28.99.

This Penn squad will make their way back to Boston Saturday night after the pros put on a show, but another GBTC squad will hit the track Sunday at Brown University. Atleast twelve women and seven men in 31 events plan to represent GBTC in track and field action, including several members assaulting the record books this year. This group will also include Francis Shen who will make it 2 hurdle races and as many as 3 relays for the weekend.