Westport's Hannah DeBalsi From Staples Win 3K Race At Penn Relays

WESTPORT, Conn. – Staples High School sophomore Hannah DeBalsi won the 3,000 meters Thursday at the Penn Relays in Philadelphia, the oldest and largest track and field meet in the United States.

Staples sophomore Hannah DeBalsi accepts her Penn Relays watch after winning the 3,000 meters Thursday in Philadelphia.
Photo Credit: *Facebook/Penn Relays*

Staples' Hannah DeBalsi leads the pack in the 3,000 meters at the Penn Relays.
Photo Credit: *Facebook/Penn Relays*

Hannah DeBalsi casts a solitary shadow as she strides ahead of the pack in the 3,000 meters Thursday at the Penn Relays.
Photo Credit: *Facebook/Penn Relays*

Tom Renner

04/25/2014 7:00 p.m.

DeBalsi won the race in 9:34.57, edging runner-up Hannah Christen of Virginia by three seconds. Regan Rome of Pennsylvania was third in 9:37.71.

There were 20 runners in the field, including athletes from Canada.

"It's awesome, I've never been in such a big stadium.,’’ DeBalsi said on the Penn Relays website. “I wanted a fast time overall. I wanted to go a bit faster than I did, but I kind of got caught in the pack. But I can't complain how it turned out."

Click here to follow Daily Voice Westport and receive free news updates.