PHOTOS: Eagle Rock Athletes Return From Penn Relays

The first-ever batch of Eagle Rock High School athletes who participated in the nation’s largest amateur track meet and the oldest relay competition in the United States returned home late last month along with their coaches, some of whom are ERHS alumni.

The athletes—13 of them—took part in the 119th Penn Relays held at the University of Pennsylvania. Popularly known as the Penn Relay Carnival, the event draws more than 100,000 fans, according to the university’s website.

The athletes did not win any of the events but "improved personal times and moved up on the Eagle Rock record board, which was our main focus of attending," Sean Cataleta, one of the coaches said, adding: "The tough competition helped us to run better."

The Eagles placed fourth out of 12 teams in the High School Boys' 4x400 meters relay, with a timing of 3:28.03, according to Penn Relay online results. In the High School Girls' 4x400 meters relay, the Eagles placed 11th out of 15 teams, with a timing of 4:21.62.