Penn Relays Day 1 Updates: Saunders runs US #1 59.65 400H

PHILADELPHIA, PA -- Menchville junior Nicole Saunders had an impressive showing in the 400 meter hurdles at Penn Relays as she ran a US #1 time of 59.65 to win her section and finish second overall to Jamaica\'s Sherene Pinnock of Edwin Allen. Allen ran a meet record time of 56.09. Saunders did it the hard way as she was not in the fast section as beat some of the best in America in Krystal Cantey of New Jersey (1:00.05) and Ryan Krais of Pennsylvania (1:00.11). An excellent start for Virginia with the first high school running event of the meet. Ashley Gatling won the high jump competition in a tiebreaker with two other athletes at 5\'8.50\". The Lake Braddock girls ran a smoking time of 9:16 to qualify for the Championships of America finals in the 4x800 meter relay with nearly four legs all splitting under 9:20. Francena McCorory ran a 52.8 split as Bethel\'s third leg on their 3:46, which is the fourth fastest time overall. Bethel also posted a swift 47.07 in the 4x100 meter relay to qualify for the finals in that event as well. Three state best times recorded in three relay events proves that Penn Relays is the place to run fast. Virginia takes two of the top four in the 3K with Catherine White (3rd, 9:49) and Sarrah Hadiji (4th, 9:58) and Katie Doswell also finishes fourth in the mile (4:54). Don Rich of MileSplit Network sister site penntrackxc.com is on-site taking photos for MileStat.com and the rest of the Network. Expect frequent updates of Virginia athletes and relays at Penn Relays.