From the Backstretch by Reuben Frank

Camden Catholic’s 3,200-meter relay team ran a South Jersey No. 1 8:02.65 for a hopeful Penn Relays qualifier Saturday at the College of New Jersey High School Invitational.

Camden Catholic won the race by nearly 10 seconds over Jackson Memorial. Only Voorhees, with a 7:59.72 at the Holmdel Twilight Meet last week, and Westfield, with an 8:02.00 at the Husky Relays Saturday at Matawan, have run faster this year among New Jersey schools.

There is no set time to qualify for Penn. The top 35 small schools and top 35 large schools are accepted, and the top 12 overall times advance to the Championship of America race. Camden Catholic, with a male enrollment below 525, would be contending for a spot in two-race small-school field.

The four 4-by-800s are scheduled for Friday morning starting at 9:20 a.m. and the Championship of America race is 4:05 p.m. Saturday. The 123rd annual Penn Relays is scheduled for April 26-28 at Franklin Field in West Philadelphia.

The Penn Relays distance medley and 3,200-meter relay qualifiers will be announced Monday morning.