Penn 4x800 relay looking to make history

The Penn men's track team has not won a championship in the 4x800m relay at the Penn Relays in nearly 30 years.

After a long wait, this year's relay team hopes to contend for the gold medal. But the Quakers are in a familiar position -- that of the underdog.

Although the relay -- which consists of freshman Matt Evans, sophomores Joe Plevelich, Scott Sebens and senior Sam Burley -- is determined to finally keep the gold medal in West Philadelphia, this year's competition will be daunting.

"It's unfortunate that this year's [4x800m] is just stacked," Burley said. "The teams in it this year are just amazing. If we were running with our team this year, last year, we'd have a better chance of winning."

The Quakers will likely have to upend the No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the country -- Arkansas and Kentucky. In addition, Michigan and Georgetown will be in the running for first place.

Despite the elite competition he will face, Burley -- as indicated by his second-place finish in the 800m last year at nationals against some of the world's elite -- is not one to be intimidated.

"We could win it if everything went perfectly," Burley said. "If we can stay in it, it should be interesting."

And staying in the race -- even if it is several seconds behind the leader -- will be the key factor if the Quakers hope to upset such formidable opponents. Burley -- who will run the final leg of the relay -- already ran a split of 1:45.6 at the Raleigh Relays earlier this season.

While Burley could not muster the strength to pass La Salle's anchorman on the final straightaway in Raleigh, falling short by a mere second, he showed that when the baton is in his hand, virtually anything can happen.

Burley said that if Penn is "within a second or two" when he receives the baton, "it will be interesting."

The senior remains confident that his teammates are poised to run nearly flawless races -- a prerequisite for victory against world-class competition.

"I have a lot of faith that the guys in our relay are going to step up and run personal records," he said.

The underdog Quakers do have the added advantage of running on their home track. The crowd, they hope, will lead them to an upset victory.

"It helps because the crowd recognizes our jersey," Burley added. "We already have a boost with home team support."

Even if Penn cannot score what could be a monumental upset in the 4x800m, the team hopes to finish no worse than fifth. La Salle -- who has already beaten Penn in the event earlier this year -- is also a potential contender.

Burley will also anchor the 4x400m team. Although he feels that Penn has a much stronger chance to win in the 4x800m, the team is looking to win the 4x400m at Heptagonals.

Featuring seniors Burley and Brian Abram and juniors Luqman Kolade and Chris Edmonds, the mile relay team has shown its mettle, winning the event last year at Heps to clinch a second consecutive title for the Quakers.

On Friday afternoon, the usually safe confines of Franklin Field -- with thousands of fans, reporters and television cameras -- may appear unfamiliar to Penn's 4x800m relay team. However, its members are experienced in pressure situations, and will make relentless efforts to bring home the gold in what should be a highly competitive event.

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