Columbia's Olivia Baker (right) celebrates with teammates after winning the College Women's 4x800 Championship of America.

PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania, USA:

The most outstanding high school female runner at last weekend's Penn Relays traces her roots to Jamaica.

"My grandfather on my mother's side is Jamaican," 16-year-old Olivia Baker confirmed last Saturday after being named 'High School Girls' Athlete For The Relay Events' at the 119th staging of Penns.

"He passed away recently."

Despite her connection to the late Edward Johnson, inheriting her talent to run from her mom, plus her knowledge of Jamaica's power in the sport, Baker plans to pursue her athletic dreams in the colours of the United States where she was born. The third-year student at Columbia High in New Jersey will try to earn a place on the US team to the 2013 IAAF World Youth Championships.

There, Baker should again confront Jamaica's best young talent. The petite runner with the distinctive mop of black, curly hair earned their respect, and admiration of the large Jamaican contingent at this year's Penns, with brilliant performances, especially against Jamaican teams whose strength she is well aware of.

"I know Jamaica has a great tradition here at Penn Relays and every time they step on the track they are going to run a fast time," said Baker. "So, I was expecting that."

On April 25, anchoring Columbia in a heat of the 4x400, Baker swept past runners from St Jago, St. Hugh's, Tacius Golding and St Andrew High to win. In the final the following day she took the baton almost in last position, but rallied Columbia to fourth, behind Vere, Edwin Allen and Holmwood.

But it was the final of the 4x800 the following day where Baker broke Jamaican hearts and stunned some 39,000 at the Franklin Field stadium. Taking the baton at least 50 metres behind Edwin Allen's anchor runner, she steadily chipped away at the leader before driving Columbia to victory.

"I was expecting to be able to run a good time whether or not I caught her," said Baker.

anchor leg

She finished the anchor leg in two minutes, 9.9 seconds. Her best time in the individual two-lap event is two minutes 10 seconds. Baker's coach, however, was not surprised.

"I think it could have been better, to be honest," said Lisa Morgan. "She has a lot more to give. (But) she rose to the occasion."

Morgan coached national 800 metres champion Kenia Sinclair at Seton Hall University. Sinclair was a finalist in the 800 metres at the 2008 Olympics and won silver medals in the event at the World Indoor Championships and Commonwealth Games in 2006. Her personal record is 1:57.88.

However, Morgan rates Baker's progress ahead of Sinclair's at similar points in their development. She said Sinclair ran 2:14.00 when she first met her after the Jamaican left St Jago.

"She is faster than what Kenia was for me," said the coach, who predicts Baker will be an Olympian. "She has more sprint speed and as much strength as Kenia at this time."

Baker, who has a PR of 53.4 in the 400, plans to return for her final year at Penns in 2014. She is currently sifting through college options. There, according to Morgan, she will decide which event to specialise in.