Young athletes from ECEDAO to represent Puerto Rico at Penn Relays.

On March 10 in Villalba, sprinters from the Eugenio Guerra Cruz Specialized Sports Community School of the Olympic Hostel qualified for the prestigious Penn Relays in the demanding 4x100-meter and 4x400-meter events.

By THE STAR STAFF

The Eugenio Guerra Cruz Specialized Sports Community School of the Olympic Hostel (ECEDAO by its initials in Spanish) in Salinas will see a distinguished group of its young athletes represent Puerto Rico at the 130th edition of the prestigious Penn Relays, to be held this Thursday to Saturday at historic Franklin Field at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.

Recognized as the oldest relay competition in the world, the Penn Relays constitute an iconic event in international track and field, bringing together more than 15,000 participants -- including athletes from high schools, universities and clubs across the United States and other countries.

On March 10 in Villalba, ECEDAO sprinters qualified in the demanding 4x100-meter and 4x400-meter events, thereby securing their presence on this highly competitive stage.

The 4x100-meter relay team will consist of sprinters Víctor D. Alvarado Alvarado, Ishael O. Feliciano Martínez, Yandel K. Feliciano Martínez and Christian E. Pagán Rodríguez. Meanwhile, in the 4x400-meter event, young Héctor A. Ramos González will take the place of Pagán Rodríguez, thus completing the lineup for this relay race.

Additionally, young Alexis Yariel Torres Gabriel from ECEDAO will make his mark at this prestigious competition by participating in the 5,000-meter race walk -- a discipline in which he has distinguished himself through his consistency, technique, and competitive progression.

The ECEDAO delegation will be led at the event by coach Jan Cancel Olán, a specialist in race walking and track and field. The development of the sprinters has been overseen by coach Beatriz Cruz Nazario -- a former Olympian -- whose work has been fundamental to the team’s preparation and performance. The participation of the aforementioned athletes represents not only a sporting achievement but also a source of pride for their school and Puerto Rico, demonstrating the talent, discipline, and commitment of the new generation of athletes making their mark on the international stage.