PHILADELPHIA – For the first time in school history, William Knibb Memorial High School – the alma mater of eight-time Olympic gold medalist Usain Bolt – has claimed victory at the Penn Relays. On April 28, 2026, the Jamaican sprint powerhouse won the International High School championship in a blistering 40.17 seconds, etching their name into the storied relay carnival’s record books.

Entering Franklin Field as a respected but never-before-winning contender, William Knibb delivered a flawless performance in the 4×100-meter final. The team’s sharp baton exchanges and raw speed left the packed stands roaring, as they crossed the line ahead of fierce rivals from the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean.

“This is for every William Knibb student who dreamed of standing on this podium,” said the team’s captain after the race. “Usain put our school on the map, and now we’ve added a Penn Relays championship to our legacy.”

The victory is especially poignant because while Bolt himself competed at Penn Relays during his high school days, he never won the International High School championship with William Knibb. Now, a new generation has achieved what even the fastest man in history did not – bringing the Penn Relays crown home to Trelawny, Jamaica.

The winning time of 40.17 seconds ranks among the fastest ever run by a Jamaican high school team at the event, signaling that William Knibb is not just a name of the past, but a rising force for years to come.