Ajee Wilson and Natoya Goule set for Penn Relays 600m clash

PHILADELPHIA (April 5) — Three of the world's top-10 athletes are set to compete in the Olympic Development Women's 600m at the 127th running of the Penn Relays 2023 presented by Toyota in Philadelphia on April 29.

The event will feature two Olympians who competed in the 600m last year, Ajeé Wilson from the USA and Jamaica's Natoya Goule, while Sage Hurta-Klecker, representing On Athletic Club, will join the field after winning last year's 800m event at the Relays. - Read more: Devon Allen, to defend in 110m Hurdles at 2023 Penn Relays

Wilson currently ranks fifth globally for the 800m and is a two-time Olympian with the fastest qualifying time in the field, clocking 1:22.39. She earned her first World Indoor title last March in Serbia on a time of 1:59.09 and holds a personal-best time of 1:55.61 in the 800m. Wilson boasts five world championship medals, eight national indoor titles, and four national championships.

Goule, a two-time Olympian for Jamaica, returns to the 600m with her personal-best time of 1:24.09, which she achieved during last year's Penn Relays, taking second place behind the top-ranked athlete in the world, Athing Mu.

Goule ranks fourth globally for the 800m, with a personal-best time of 1:56.15, a record in Jamaica. Her honors include being an eight-time national champion and a silver medalist at the world indoor championships in 2014.

Hurta-Klecker, who won last year's 800m event at the Relays, is competing again this year in another Olympic Development event. Although she is typically an 800m competitor, she will be running in the 600m this year. Her personal-best time in the 800m is 1:57.85, ranking her eighth globally, which she set last August in Monaco.

Before joining the On team, Hurta-Klecker had a successful career with the University of Colorado, earning two NCAA titles for the indoor mile in 2021 and the indoor distance medley relay in 2017.

The Olympic Development Women's 600m will take place at approximately 3:45 p.m. on April 29 at the historic Franklin Field. To witness the race and all the other top-tier competition of the Penn Relays, purchase tickets at https://pennathletics.evenue.net/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/SEGetGroupList?groupCode=PR&linkID=upenn&shopperContext=&caller=&appCode=.