Bullis Captures Historic 4x400 Title at 2026 Penn Relays, Ends Nearly Two-Decade U.S. Drought

Bullis School’s boys’ 4x400-meter relay team delivered a landmark performance on one of track and field’s biggest stages on April 25, 2026, winning the Championship of America at the Penn Relays and becoming the first American school to capture the event since 2007.

In difficult conditions at Franklin Field, with cold, rain, and a slick track adding another layer of pressure to an already elite international field, Bullis stayed composed through tight exchanges and sustained pressure from top Jamaican programs. The result was a disciplined, controlled performance that separated itself late to secure a signature victory.

Freshman Zayden Saxton ’29 and junior Cameron Homer ’27 set the tone early, keeping Bullis firmly in contention through the opening two legs despite a tightly packed field. Both handled early pressure well, ensuring the team remained within striking distance.

On the third leg, Gideon Newton ’28 pushed Bullis into a narrow lead heading into the final exchange, a small but critical margin that proved decisive.

From there, senior Quincy Wilson ’26 closed the race.

Wilson received the baton with Bullis in front and gradually extended the lead over the final stretch, pulling away from the field to secure a decisive win.

The victory came at the Penn Relays, where the boys’ 4x400 Championship of America has long been dominated by Jamaican schools, making Bullis’ breakthrough especially notable.

Saxton and Homer established position early, Newton created the separation, and Wilson delivered a commanding anchor leg to seal one of the meet’s defining performances.

By the time Bullis crossed the line, the result stood as more than a win—it was a statement. On a stage where American teams have often chased international powerhouses, Bullis controlled the race when it mattered most and rewrote a familiar script at Franklin Field.