The 2025 Penn Relays once again proved why it remains the crown jewel of high school track and field. Inside Franklin Field, Philadelphia’s best programs took center stage in the 4×400-meter relays—arguably the most electric event of the weekend. From dominant wire-to-wire performances to late-race surges, the city’s public and Catholic leagues delivered elite competition against the region’s top talent.

Philadelphia Public League Boys: Imhotep Sets the Tone

Imhotep Charter established total control in the Philadelphia Public League 4×400, running a commanding 3:25.02 to secure first place. The quartet of Nasir Gorgon, Chase Temple, Isaiah Prater, and Jahmire Cunningham never relinquished the lead, holding first position at every exchange.
Their race execution was clinical. A 50.63 opening leg immediately established control of the race, and the group maintained that advantage through both the 800-meter and 1200-meter marks. By the time the baton reached the anchor, the race was firmly in hand, closing in 52.20 to complete a dominant wire-to-wire victory.
George Washington (3:27.85) and Central (3:28.09) remained within striking distance and made key moves throughout the middle stages of the race, but neither could disrupt Imhotep’s rhythm. Mastery Charter North (3:29.64) and Martin Luther King (3:30.65) completed a strong and competitive field.

Catholic League Boys: La Salle Dominates

La Salle College delivered one of the most complete relay performances of the meet, winning the Catholic League title in 3:18.22. Their approach was defined by balance and efficiency, with each leg contributing sub-51 second splits.
The race was effectively controlled from the start. A 49.68 opening leg established the lead, and La Salle maintained first position at every exchange. Their consistency through the middle legs ensured no team could close the gap, and a 49.78 anchor leg sealed a commanding victory.
Bonner Prendergast (3:21.77) and Father Judge (3:22.37) followed with strong efforts, but La Salle’s depth and execution proved decisive. Roman Catholic and St. Joseph’s Prep rounded out the top five.

Philadelphia Area: Regional Heavyweights Collide

The Philadelphia Area 4×400 brought together top programs from Pennsylvania and South Jersey, producing some of the fastest times of the meet.
Winslow Township (NJ) captured the win in 3:16.12, setting one of the top marks of the weekend. Springfield (MontCo) (3:16.92) remained competitive throughout and finished just behind, while La Salle continued its strong showing with a third-place finish in 3:20.04.
Imhotep Charter returned in this division and placed sixth in 3:21.87, reinforcing its ability to compete beyond city competition against deeper regional fields.

Girls Catholic League: West Catholic Takes Control

West Catholic secured the Catholic League title in 4:03.72, delivering a composed and well-managed race.
The team navigated early pressure while staying within contention at the halfway point. By the 1200-meter mark, West Catholic regained control and positioned themselves for a strong finish. Their anchor leg closed effectively to maintain separation and secure the victory.
Bonner Prendergast (4:09.60) and St. Hubert’s (4:17.73) followed in second and third place.

Girls Public League: Palumbo Breaks Through

Academy of Palumbo produced one of the standout performances of the meet, winning the Public League title in 3:57.96, breaking the four-minute barrier.
After sitting mid-pack in the early stages, Palumbo made a decisive move at the 1200-meter mark to take control of the race. From there, the team maintained its advantage, closing with a 57.88 anchor split to secure a statement victory.
Central (4:01.98) and Engineering & Science (4:06.24) completed the podium.

Girls Philadelphia Area: Elite Regional Times

The girls’ Philadelphia Area race showcased elite competition, with Lawrenceville (NJ) winning in 3:48.18 and Willingboro (NJ) close behind in 3:50.22.
Philadelphia-area teams remained competitive in a deep field. Penn Charter finished third in 3:55.02, while Academy of Palumbo returned after their Public League victory to place ninth in 4:05.65. West Catholic also doubled back and finished tenth.

The Bigger Picture

The 2025 Penn Relays reinforced Philadelphia’s reputation as a pipeline for elite sprint talent. Programs like Imhotep, La Salle, and Palumbo did not simply win—they demonstrated disciplined execution, depth, and race intelligence at a high level.
These performances also point forward. Many of these athletes will move on to collegiate competition, while others will return with experience and momentum for future championship races.
At Franklin Field, under the Penn Relays spotlight, Philadelphia once again established itself as one of the premier high school track regions in the country.