With gasoline prices going out of sight, a day trip on a whim to Philadelphia might not be the wisest move. But, if you're so inclined, there are few things more fascinating than taking in the Penn Relays at Franklin Field, to get a peek at some of the nation's next great track stars.

For example, one of yesterday's feature races saw Ryann Krais, a senior at Methacton High in Norristown, Pa., run a sensational 59.62 in the high school girls 400-meter hurdles race. Krais, a champion heptathlete, has signed to attend UCLA next year under the tutelage of coach Bob Kersee, the husband of Jackie Joyner-Kersee, arguably the best heptathlete this nation has ever produced.

On the menu for today is a showdown in the girls 4x800-meter relay involving Washington-area powerhouse Eleanor Roosevelt.