Prime time at Franklin Field: For honored host W. Track, the Penn Relays even have the power to reunite families

The 105th Running of the Penn Relay Carnival Each year, the Penn Relays bring hundreds of top athletes from around the world to Franklin Field to compete on track and field's grandest stage. And on rare occasions, the event can bring families together. For Shana McDonald-Black, a senior and captain of the Penn women's track team, last year's Penn Relays is one that she will remember for a lifetime -- and not because of her performance on the track. McDonald-Black, whose parents moved from Jamaica, was the first member of her family to be born in the United States but she still considers herself a Jamaican. During a break from competition at last year's event, the Quakers sprinter ventured into the stands with her father in search of a cousin that her father had heard was also competing at the Relays. After much searching, she was finally united with her cousin, who she had never met before. They have kept in touch throughout the past year. McDonald-Black believes that the large and vocal Jamaican contingent in the stands, which she estimates to be "around half of the crowd," provides her with extra motivation to run well. "For me, [the Penn Relays] are added excitement," McDonald-Black said, "because I could be performing in front of family members or people of my nationality that normally would not be able to see me run." While not all the Quakers have such heart-felt memories of the Relays, each member of the team who qualified to compete feels honored to have such a privilege. The members of the team say that they feel an extra sense of pride representing the host school; for many it is their favorite part of the track and field season. The Quakers see the Relays as a reward for the hard work they have put in during the indoor and outdoor seasons. This weekend is a chance for Penn to shine in front of crowds thousands of times larger than it normally sees. "It's a tremendous thrill to have [the event] here. If you are a track and field fan, there is no greater track and field event in the country," Penn assistant coach Tony Tenisci said. "It is really the grandfather of track and field competition. It makes the Olympics look like a birthday party. "The volume of athletes, the way it covers all facets of life -- this is really a human experience. It is more than track and field. It encompasses the best of what people are about." According to Tenisci, the Quakers should relish this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and savor every moment. "I once had a father say to me that the two greatest moments of his life were the birth of his children and winning his Penn Relays medal," Tenisci said. Whether or not the Quakers walk away this weekend with that same feeling, they will not forget the caliber of the athletes they ran against. While many talented sprinters, throwers and jumpers will join Penn on its home track this weekend, there are quite a few Quakers who are looking to keep the medals at home. Senior captain Luana Botelho and sophomore Amy Nichols are two of the Quakers' top throwers and favorites to win the shot put and discus, respectively. The 4x100-meter relay team of McDonald-Black, sophomore JaJuan Gair, junior Richelle Clements and senior Victoria Moore also looks to continue its recent improvement. Moore, sophomores Melissa MacIntyre and Bassey Adjah, senior Sonya Crosswell and senior captain Jessica Mitchell -- four of whom will comprise the 4x400-meter relay team -- also hope to keep the top prize away from their Ivy rivals. According to tradition, the 4x400 meters is run only by the Ivy League schools. Although the relays are broken down into different levels of competition according to ability, Penn will still face athletes much more talented than it does at an average Ivy League meet. The Quakers recognize that this weekend will be a challenge but the team feels that the heightened competition will help its athletes perform even better. Penn hopes to see its performance rise to the level of the competition and sees this meet as a chance to improve upon what it has done all season. However, the team is approaching this weekend as it does any other meet or race. "Basically you have to block out who you are running against. You cannot get overwhelmed by the competition," Moore said. "You have to compete at the same level you always compete. "You have to try and not be intimidated by your surroundings. You just have to shake it off and look at them like any other competition and do your best." Regardless of how many medals the Quakers win this weekend, they, like McDonald-Black last year, will take memories with them that will last forever.