2016 Penn Relays

Four Questions with Penn Relays' Finest

Four Questions with Penn Relays' Finest

Get to know some of the top stars competing at the Penn Relays (LIVE ON FLOTRACK) this weekend: favorite song, most embarrassing track moment and what emoji

Apr 28, 2016 by Meg Bellino
Four Questions with Penn Relays' Finest
Get to know some of the top stars competing at the Penn Relays (LIVE ON FLOTRACK) this weekend: favorite song, most embarrassing track moment and what emoji they're constantly using.

Jasmine Todd, Oregon - 4x100m, SMR

Penn Relays Goal: Bring home as many wheels as we can! And live to wear another color besides white because white is our prelims attire and colors mean we made it to finals.

Song of the Moment: "Work" - Rihanna

Most Embarrassing Moment at a Track Meet: Outdoor Nationals last year.

Most-used Emoji: null

Kaela Edwards, Oklahoma State - DMR, 4x800

Penn Relays Goal: I think every team has the same goal, but of course coming home with wins are the ultimate goal.

Song of the Moment: I listen to Spotify all the time and always find random songs that I really like then listen to them over and over until I'm tired of them. Currently it's "Kamikaze" by MØ.

Most Embarrassing Moment at a Track Meet: I think there are a lot of moments I could feel slightly embarrassed about. Especially when I look back at interviews. I have goofy/strange tendencies, so I'm sure there are a lot of moments to pin point, but I try to embrace it. Maybe crying tears of joy after indoor nationals was because I had an ugly cry face.

Most-used Emoji: Most-used emoji is null because I'm always texting Chad Noelle!

Raevyn Rogers, Oregon - 4x8, 4x4, SMR

Penn Relays Goal: To win each event, possibly break the school record in the 4x4 and set a record in the SMR.

Song of the Moment: "Father Stretch My Hands Pt. 1" - Kanye West

Most Embarrassing Moment at a Track Meet: Running the 200 at Oregon relays and coming off the curve in the same lane as my teammate.

Most-used Emoji: null

Jordy Williamsz, Villanova - DMR, 4x1500m, 4x800m

Penn Relays Goal: This year has been a bit rough for me, years of hard training and racing seems to be catching up to me a little. So right now I'm doing my best to take a bit of a rest period so I can have the best chance at making it to Rio. That being said, I just want to get out there and compete, not expecting too much.

Song of the Moment: "Throwaways" - Beach Slang. Local Philly band on the rise.

Most Embarrassing Moment at a Track Meet: Right before the mile at Husky in 2013, as we were about to get on the start line, I had to make a mad dash back to the check in area. I had forgotten to pick up my race numbers. Certainly elevated the heart rate right before the start. I ended up running 4.00.04, so maybe that was the difference.

Most-used Emoji: Most-used emoji is null but I think the null might be a close second.

Brandon McGorty, Chantilly High School (VA) - Mile

Penn Relays Goal: To race well and run a nice PR

Song of the Moment: "Eye of the Storm" - Ryan Stevenson

Most Embarrassing Moment at a Track Meet: Forgot to lock the door of the bathroom and that didn't end well for me.

Most-used Emoji
: null

Grant Holloway, Grassfield High School (VA) - Long Jump

Penn Relays Goal: Go out and have fun. Compete. Compete.

Song of the Moment: "My Boo" - #RunningManChallenge

Most Embarrassing Moment at a Track Meet:
Not clearing the starting height.

Most-used Emoji: null

Anna Cockrell, Providence Day (NC) - 400m Hurdles

Penn Relays Goal: I want to run my race and run it my way.

Song of the Moment: The entire Lemonade album is perfection. It gives me LIFE!

Most Embarrassing Moment at a Track Meet: Last year at Penn Relays, I was running late and had to pin my bibs on by myself. So I put them on my singlet, then tried to put it on. I don't know what I did or how I pinned the bibs, but somehow I ended up stuck in my singlet. Some random coach had to help me. I was 17 and it looked like I didn't know how to operate safety pins or put on a shirt.

Most-used Emoji: It's a tie between null and null

Western Branch (VA) Girls, 4x400m/4x800m - Amanda Thomas, Jada Terrell, Faith Ross, Ces'shay Joyner

Penn Relays Goal: To win Championship of America in either 4x8 or 4x4. -AT

Song of the Moment: "Needed Me," Rihanna -JT

Most Embarrassing Moment at a Track Meet: Definitely falling during shuttle hurdle warm-ups at New Balance Indoor Nationals and we didn’t win. -FR

Most-Used Emoji: null because my teammates are so pretty *laughs* -CJ

Noah Affolder, Carthage High School (NY) - Mile

Penn Relays Goal: To win the mile.

Song of the Moment: "At Night I Think Of You"

Most Embarrassing Moment at a Track Meet: Losing the Millrose Games by .01 seconds because I stopped early.

Most-Used Emoji: null

Loudon Valley (VA) Boys DMR - Will Smagh, Colton Bogucki, Nathaniel Thompson, Drew Hunter

Penn Relays Goal: Win.

Song of the Moment: "Man of the Year" - Schoolboy Q

Most Embarrassing Moment at a Track Meet: I tripped on the turf while doing strides and completely ate it.

Most-used Emoji: null -WS

Penn Relays Goal: To win and set the national record.

Song of the Moment: "Wed Sand" - Red Hot Chili Peppers

Most Embarrassing Track Meet Moment: When I thought someone stole my phone and Afro pick but they were actually in my bag the entire time.

Most-Used Emoji: null -CB

Penn Relays Goal: Win the DMR.

Song of the Moment: "Down in the DM" - Yo Gotti

Most Embarrassing Track Meet Moment: When I dove across the finish line to get second at states in the 400.

Most-Used Emoji: null -NT

Penn Relays Goal: Get the dub.

Song of the Moment: "Come A Little Closer" - Cage the Elephant

Most Embarrassing Moment at a Track Meet: When my younger brother had to pick up my award at a meet because I was cooling down.

Most-used Emoji: null -DW

Lake Braddock (VA) Girls DMR - Kate Murphy, Samantha Schwers, Shannon Browning, Skyla Davidson

Penn Relays Goal: Our goal is to have everyone perform to their capabilities and pray that it will be enough for Lake Braddock's name to go down in the Penn Relays DMR book.

Song of the Moment:
"Changes" - David Bowie

Most-used Emoji: null -KM

Song of the Moment: "Live Your Life" - Rihanna

Most-used Emoji: null -SS

Song of the Moment: "Elevate" - St. Lucia

Most Embarrassing Moment at a Track Meet: On the way to Indoor nationals, there was a spider in the backseat and I kinda freaked out and spilled marinara sauce all over the back of the car and had to race with marinara-stained socks in the DMR.

Most-used Emoji:null -SB

Song of the Moment: "Needed Me" - Rihanna

Most-used Emoji: null -SD

Aiden Tooker, Saratoga Springs (NY) - 3000m

Song of the Moment: "Surfin' Bird" - The Trashman

Most Embarrassing Track Meet Moment: My teammate (Aidan Waite) sprayed my pants with his water bottle before a race and when it I stepped on the line it looked like wet myself.

Most-used Emoji: null