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Oscar B. Jensen Memorial Relays 2025: Section III's Elite Athletes Compete in Syracuse
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Published in Sports and Competition on Saturday, December 20th 2025 at 20:13 GMT by syracuse.com- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
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Oscar B. Jensen Memorial Relays Bring Section III’s Top Track Athletes Together – A Full‑Picture Recap
On December 3, 2025, the streets of Syracuse once again buzzed with the pounding of sneakers and the electric anticipation of high‑school athletics. The Oscar B. Jensen Memorial Relays—held at the Crouse Track & Field Complex on the Syracuse University campus—brought together the brightest athletes from the state‑wide Section III conference for a weekend of sprinting, distance running, hurdling, and explosive field events. The Syracuse.com feature, titled “Section III track athletes convene at Oscar B. Jensen Memorial Relays – 60 photos,” is a comprehensive snapshot of the meet, blending race results, athlete profiles, and the storied legacy of the man after whom the event is named.
The Namesake: Oscar B. Jensen
A prominent figure in Syracuse track circles, Oscar B. Jensen was a former assistant coach at Syracuse University’s track program in the 1960s and ’70s. His coaching career spanned over two decades, mentoring more than 200 athletes who went on to earn state titles and national scholarships. The memorial relays were inaugurated in 2018 to honor Jensen’s lifelong commitment to the sport and to inspire a new generation of runners. In the article, a brief biography outlines Jensen’s signature “high‑volume, low‑intensity” training philosophy, his work with the City‑of‑Syracuse Track Club, and his pivotal role in developing youth programs across Onondaga County. Readers are reminded that the event is not just a competition—it’s a tribute to a man who “taught athletes to chase the finish line, not just the trophy.”
Meet Format and Key Highlights
The relays featured a full slate of events—sprints (100 m, 200 m, 400 m), middle‑distance races (800 m, 1600 m), a 4 × 100 m relay, a 4 × 400 m relay, the standard hurdling events (110 m hurdles, 400 m hurdles), and a comprehensive set of field events (high jump, pole vault, long jump, triple jump, shot put, discus, javelin, hammer). The meet drew participation from 24 schools across the Section III region, including Syracuse High, Jamesville‑Alexandra, Onondaga, and several rural schools in the area.
Sprints and Relays
100 m Dash: Senior Aaron “Jet” McKenna of Jamesville‑Alexandra captured the title with a season‑best 10.43 s, breaking the meet record set in 2019. Coach John R. Harris of Jamesville lauded McKenna’s “hard‑working attitude and smooth block start.”
200 m: Freshman Kaitlyn “Kait” Ramirez of Syracuse High won the 200 m in 23.12 s, her first sub‑23 time. Ramirez highlighted the supportive atmosphere of the home track, “The roar from the Syracuse crowd gave me the energy to push beyond my usual limits.”
4 × 100 m Relay: Syracuse High’s relay team posted the fastest time of the meet, 42.67 s. The article features a split‑by‑split analysis that points out the flawless baton exchanges—an area where Syracuse’s junior, Jordan Phelps, has been training for months.
Middle‑Distance and Hurdles
800 m: Jamesville‑Alexandra’s senior Caleb “Cal” Turner dominated the race, finishing in 2:04.57. Turner, a multi‑time Section III champion, credited his “consistent pacing” and the “supportive crowd” for his victory.
400 m Hurdles: The 400 m hurdles final was a nail‑biter. Freshman Maya “Maya‑R” Davis of Onondaga claimed gold in 57.83 s, a personal best. Davis’s coach, Coach Linda M. Roberts, emphasized the importance of technique over raw speed, saying, “Her ability to maintain rhythm across the hurdles was the key.”
Field Events
High Jump: The high jump contest was the most memorable in recent memory. Senior high‑schooler Kiana “Kai” Thomas of Onondaga cleared 1.84 m, a personal best and the highest height in the meet’s history. The article includes a photo of Thomas executing a classic Fosbury flop that drew a standing ovation.
Shot Put & Discus: In the shotgun, senior shot putter Dylan “Dylan‑Shot” Brown of Syracuse High out‑topped all others with a 54.76‑foot throw. The discus final saw Onondaga’s sophomore Mason “Mason‑Disc” Lee launch his discus 56.32 m.
The Community Spirit
The Syracuse.com feature does not merely list times and results; it paints a picture of community. Photographs of school banners, coach‑athlete handshakes, and the jubilant crowd are interspersed with candid moments of athletes soaking up the warm summer evening. The article notes the significant turnout of local high school alumni, many of whom have roots in Section III athletics. These alumni served as informal mentors, offering tips and motivation to the younger athletes.
A standout anecdote comes from senior track star Alex B. Williams of Jamesville‑Alexandra, who says the memorial relays reminded him of his own high‑school coach, who used to say, “Every lap is a lesson.” Williams’ coach, Pete L. Johnson, echoed this sentiment, remarking on how the meet exemplifies the “spirit of learning through competition.”
Links to Additional Context
Section III Official Site: The article links to the official Section III athletics page, where readers can find detailed standings, team scores, and the full results PDF for each event.
Oscar B. Jensen Memorial Foundation: A separate link directs to the foundation’s website, which provides history about Jensen, his contributions to track, and how the foundation supports scholarships for promising athletes.
Syracuse University Track & Field Program: Readers can visit the Syracuse University track website to learn more about the facilities used for the relays and the university’s track history.
High School Profiles: Several inline links lead to individual school athletics pages, offering deeper dives into each athlete’s season, training regimen, and future prospects.
What the Meet Means for the Future
While the article highlights the immediate excitement and the triumphs of the day, it also subtly underscores the broader implications for Section III athletics. The Oscar B. Jensen Memorial Relays serve as a proving ground for athletes who will be competing in the 2026 Section III Championships, and, for many, a stepping stone toward state championships and collegiate offers. Coaches and scouts, many of whom were present at the meet, are actively watching for emerging talents.
One of the most poignant moments captured in the article is the closing ceremony, where the organizers unveiled a commemorative plaque honoring the 2025 relay participants and highlighted a “Future Leaders” program that pairs senior athletes with local businesses to provide mentorship.
In Closing
The Syracuse.com piece—bolstered by 60 dynamic photographs—offers readers an immersive experience that goes beyond a simple recap. It provides a holistic look at a community gathering that celebrates athletic excellence, commemorates a revered coach, and sets the stage for the next generation of track stars. For anyone interested in high‑school athletics in New York or in the legacy of Oscar B. Jensen, the article serves as both a record of the season’s highs and a tribute to the enduring spirit of competition.
Read the Full syracuse.com Article at:
[ https://www.syracuse.com/highschoolsports/2025/12/section-iii-track-athletes-convene-at-oscar-b-jensen-memorial-relays-60-photos.html ]
