Team Posts First Sub-16 4 x Mile, Second Fastest in World History
April 27, 2024 –
The Villanova Wildcats took the Distance Medley Relay on Friday in a thrilling race. The team adds the 4 x Mile Relay Championship of America for the second consecutive year winning the race in a more thrilling fashion as Liam Murphy comes from behind in the last 50 meters to hit the finish line first for the 22nd victory for the Wildcats in this Penn Relays event. It would take a Relays record, American record, and the second fastest in world history to earn the Wheel. Nova posted a time of 15:51.91, their first sub-16 minute effort.
“It’s really special. It means a lot to all of us and even more to the people in the crowd than just the four of us you see racing,” said Murphy about the sense of accomplishment in getting the win and setting the record. “We had the potential and the talent to win here. We felt like it was a good standard to set for ourselves. I’m really happy we’re able to execute on that. I think we did a great job.”
A thriller. Coming to the last lap it was a three-team race as Virginia held a slight lead, closely followed by Villanova and Georgetown. Like the DMR the anchor runners dueled down the stretch; Murphy, Gary Martin for the Cavs, and the Hoyas Abel Teffra. Martin had the lead. Murphy closed in. Teffra was right there too. Murphy went in front down the final straightaway close to the end, Nova had the Wheel and a meet record.
“Gary Martin took it out a lot faster than I anticipated going into it. Just take the lead to the very end,” said Murphy.
Virginia and Georgetown also ran under 16 minutes posting times of 15:52.30 and 15:52.56. A school record for the Cavs, and all three bested the American record of 16:03.24 set by Oregon in Eugene on September 5, 2009.
Notre Dame held the lead after the first leg. After two miles it became a race between Virginia, Villanova and Georgetown in that order.
The splits in order by Villanova, Virginia, and Georgetown.
1st Leg: Sean Donaghue 3:59.32; Wes Porter 3:59.17; Lucas Guerra3:59.61
2nd Leg: Charlie O’Donovan 4:00.09; Will Anthony 4:00.95; Parker Stokes 3:59.89
3rd Leg: Marco Langdon 3:58.18; Yasin Sado 3:56.97; Camden Gilmore 3:59.89
Anchor: Murphy 3:43.32; Martin 3:55.22; Teffra 3:54.26
History made by the Villanova team. Another Wheel, another Championship of America, a tradition they want to continue.
Written By: Glenn Papazian
Contact: Glenn@PhillyCollegeSports.com
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