Most Sprint Relay Teams

MOST SPRINT RELAY TEAMS spend hours practicing handoffs and honing their timing to split-second precision. But when an extremely talented relay team forms at the last minute, surprising results can occur.

In the 2000 Penn Relays, the United States competed against squads from Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean. Just prior to the running of the women’s 4 x 200, American coaches decided LaTasha Jenkins, LaTasha Colander Richardson, Nanceen Perry, and Marion Jones would comprise the United States Blue team. Once selected, the quartet decided to go all out for the world record in spite of their inexperience at handing the baton to each other.

With a crowd of 45,203 packing the stands at the Philadelphia track, Jenkins bolted to an early lead. After Colander Richardson took the baton, the margin increased. By the time Perry finished the third leg, the Americans owned a commanding lead.

Jones, who would later capture three gold medals in the 2000 Olympics, received the baton and blazed around the curve. As spectators chanted, “USA! USA!” the track star crossed the finish line in a time of 1:27.46. The Americans’ clocking shattered the 20-year-old world record of 1:28.15.

The coaches saw the potential of this dream team. Then the women’s swift legs, strong lungs, and sure hands combined for the win. They saw the time and exclaimed, “We did it!”

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POINT We love it when we win in athletics, score high on a test, earn an honor, or simply hear the words “You did a great job.” When we do, it’s easy to think, I did that! But we forget that while our ability may have earned the prize, God gave us that ability.

Moses warned the Israelites to never forget that their achievements came from the Lord. And we shouldn’t forget either.

GOAL! Write down some of your special abilities.