by Tyler Gibbons
One national class record and two meet records fall; numerous top U.S. marks set
The Nation’s premier indoor track and field event is a venue where the best high school athletes come to test their mettle against the best – the best competition, the best environment, and the best atmosphere.
The distinctive and unique Simplot Games produces plenty of excitement from the all involved, but especially the athletes.
A year after shattering the national freshman record in the 60-meter hurdles, sophomore Trinity Wilson, from Oakland, Calif., returned to Pocatello with the same intentions.
Mission accomplished.
“I just brought everything that I’ve been working on in practice to the race,” Wilson said. “And I got it done.”
Wilson won the hurdle event in a national sophomore record 8.29 seconds.
“I always tell people Simplot’s my favorite meet,” Wilson said. “From now on, if something will ever go down it’s going to happen right here at Simplot.”
Only a sophomore, there is no telling what she has in store for Simplot in the next two years. An extremely scary thought for the rest of the field.
“I’m going to keep practicing and keep working,” Wilson said. “When next year comes around, watch out. I’ll be ready.”
Other top performances from Saturday’s finals include:
· Fuqauwn Greene, a senior from New Bern, N.C., set a new Simplot Games record in the 200 meters with a time of 21.41.
· Throw1 Deep’s Shelby Ashe, a junior from Marietta, Ga., set a new Simplot Games weight throw record with a toss of 60’5”, the fifth best high school throw of all-time.
· Kasen Covington (senior from Boise, Idaho) the top ranked high school triple jumper in the U.S. won both the long jump (23’ 6”), and triple jump (48’ 0-1/4”).
· Ashton Purvis (senior from Oakland, Calif.,) the nation’s top girls sprinter, completed her Simplot 3-peat. For the third year in a row, Purvis left Pocatello with victories in the 60- (7.36 seconds), and 200-meter dashes 23.54).
· Kelsey Brown (senior from Orem, Utah) recorded the fastest time in the nation for the girls’ 800 meters with a time of 2:11.04
· Georgia’s Throw1 Deep was well represented on the podium, claiming all 12 places on the girls’ and boys’ weight throw division, along several medallists in the boys’ shot put (including the Davis Fraker, who won the boys’ weight throw and shot put).
· Zach Blackham, a senior from Orem, Utah, matched the third best high jump in the nation this year (6’10”) while winning the high jump with some encouragement from Olympic legend Dick Fosbury.
· Tara Richmond, a senior from Long Beach, Calif., swept the high jump, (5’8”), and triple jump, (38’3”).
· Chris Mamon, a senior from Fairfield, Calif., won the boys 60-meter hurdles with the sixth best time in the country this year (8.01).
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Idaho Athletes win five events at Simplot Games
by Spencer Ward
Gem State has strong showing at nation’s premier indoor event
With two wins by a Boise senior, a front-running win in the 3200-meters by a senior from Hailey, and two wins in the all-Idaho relay by teams from Boise and Pocatello, Idaho athletes demonstrated their mettle on the nation’s fast track.
Boise’s Kasen Covington won the triple jump and long jump this year, adding to the triple jump title he won last year.
Covington had a rough start by fouling on his first two attempts.
“I usually don’t foul that much, I had to go back to the basics,” said Covington. “I love the Simplot Games, it’s a great meet to come and compete at.”
Chase Caulkins a senior from Hailey, won the 3200-meter run – a race of pure endurance and dedication that he led from the start.
“I told myself to keep attacking,” Caulkins said. “I kept pumping my arms and moving my legs so I couldn’t be caught from behind.”
In the relays, YMCA Team Idaho’s girl’s relay team won in the All-Idaho 4x200 relay.
“It’s awesome! The Simplot Games are ‘it,’” said Jensen
On the boys’ side of the All-Idaho relays, Pocatello’s Indian Track Club also came out victorious with a win in the 4x200.
Idaho had many other athletes that placed in their events, including Austin Basterrechea, a senior from Gooding who placed 2nd in the boy’s high jump, and Kyler Shumway a senior from Cottonwood placed 3rd in the boy’s shot put.
Idaho showed a lot of endurance and heart all through out the Simplot Games.
Other medalists include:
Men 60 Meter Hurdles
· A.J. Bouley (senior, Boise) – 6th
Women Pole Vault
· Rebecca Clark (senior, Boise) – 2nd
· Caitlin Maulin (senior, Boise) – 3rd
Women 4x800-Meter Relay
· Canyon Track Club ‘A’ – 3rd
Men Shot Put
· Kyler Shumway (senior, Cottonwood) – 3rd
Men Long Jump
· Kasen Covington (senior, Boise) – 1st
Women 1600 Sprint Medley
· YMCA Team Idaho ‘A’ – 4th
Men 1600 Sprint Medley
· YMCA Team Idaho ‘A’ – 5th
Men High Jump
· Austin Basterrechea (senior, Gooding) – 2nd
· James Woodworth (senior, Caldwell) – 4th
Women Triple Jump
· Brittney Owens (sophomore, Boise) – 6th
Girl All-Idaho 4x200-Meter Relay
· YMCA Team Idaho ‘A’ – 1st
· Riverrunners ‘A’ – 2nd
· Indian Track Club ‘A’ – 3rd
· YMCA Team Idaho ‘B’ – 4th
· Snake River Rapids ‘A’ – 5th
Men All-Idaho 4x200-Meter Relay
· Indian Track Club ‘A’ – 1st
· YMCA Team Idaho ‘B’ – 2nd
· YMCA Team Idaho ‘C’ – 3rd
· Trojan Track Club ‘A’ – 4th
· Riverrunners ‘A’ – 5th
· Snake River Rapids – 6th
Men 4x200-Meter Relay
· YMCA Team Idaho ‘A’ – 3rd
Men 3200 Meter Run
· Chase Caulkins (senior, Bellevue) – 1st
Men Triple Jump
· Kasen Covington (senior, Boise) – 1st
Gem State has strong showing at nation’s premier indoor event
With two wins by a Boise senior, a front-running win in the 3200-meters by a senior from Hailey, and two wins in the all-Idaho relay by teams from Boise and Pocatello, Idaho athletes demonstrated their mettle on the nation’s fast track.
Boise’s Kasen Covington won the triple jump and long jump this year, adding to the triple jump title he won last year.
Covington had a rough start by fouling on his first two attempts.
“I usually don’t foul that much, I had to go back to the basics,” said Covington. “I love the Simplot Games, it’s a great meet to come and compete at.”
Chase Caulkins a senior from Hailey, won the 3200-meter run – a race of pure endurance and dedication that he led from the start.
“I told myself to keep attacking,” Caulkins said. “I kept pumping my arms and moving my legs so I couldn’t be caught from behind.”
In the relays, YMCA Team Idaho’s girl’s relay team won in the All-Idaho 4x200 relay.
“It’s awesome! The Simplot Games are ‘it,’” said Jensen
On the boys’ side of the All-Idaho relays, Pocatello’s Indian Track Club also came out victorious with a win in the 4x200.
Idaho had many other athletes that placed in their events, including Austin Basterrechea, a senior from Gooding who placed 2nd in the boy’s high jump, and Kyler Shumway a senior from Cottonwood placed 3rd in the boy’s shot put.
Idaho showed a lot of endurance and heart all through out the Simplot Games.
Other medalists include:
Men 60 Meter Hurdles
· A.J. Bouley (senior, Boise) – 6th
Women Pole Vault
· Rebecca Clark (senior, Boise) – 2nd
· Caitlin Maulin (senior, Boise) – 3rd
Women 4x800-Meter Relay
· Canyon Track Club ‘A’ – 3rd
Men Shot Put
· Kyler Shumway (senior, Cottonwood) – 3rd
Men Long Jump
· Kasen Covington (senior, Boise) – 1st
Women 1600 Sprint Medley
· YMCA Team Idaho ‘A’ – 4th
Men 1600 Sprint Medley
· YMCA Team Idaho ‘A’ – 5th
Men High Jump
· Austin Basterrechea (senior, Gooding) – 2nd
· James Woodworth (senior, Caldwell) – 4th
Women Triple Jump
· Brittney Owens (sophomore, Boise) – 6th
Girl All-Idaho 4x200-Meter Relay
· YMCA Team Idaho ‘A’ – 1st
· Riverrunners ‘A’ – 2nd
· Indian Track Club ‘A’ – 3rd
· YMCA Team Idaho ‘B’ – 4th
· Snake River Rapids ‘A’ – 5th
Men All-Idaho 4x200-Meter Relay
· Indian Track Club ‘A’ – 1st
· YMCA Team Idaho ‘B’ – 2nd
· YMCA Team Idaho ‘C’ – 3rd
· Trojan Track Club ‘A’ – 4th
· Riverrunners ‘A’ – 5th
· Snake River Rapids – 6th
Men 4x200-Meter Relay
· YMCA Team Idaho ‘A’ – 3rd
Men 3200 Meter Run
· Chase Caulkins (senior, Bellevue) – 1st
Men Triple Jump
· Kasen Covington (senior, Boise) – 1st
Utah brings home four titles at the 2010 Simplot Games
by Clayton Cook
Zach Blackham, a senior from Orem; Susannah Hurst, a junior from Holladay; Kelsey Brown, a senior from Orem; and Evan Argyle, a senior from Pleasant Grove; were the four Utah representatives to claim their spot on top of the podium at the 32nd Simplot Games.
Blackham earned the top honors in the boys’ high jump by clearing a height of 6’10”. Hurst took first in the girls’ 3200-meter run with a time of 11:16.59. Brown won the girls’ 800-meter run with a time of 2:11.05. Argyle won the title in the boys’ 1600-meter run with a time of 4:24.11.
Blackham, who was competing in his first Simplot Games, broke his own personal best height by two inches.
“I’m trying to get better, and people told me Simplot Games would be a fun event,” Blackham said. “It was really fun.”
Hurst had a bit of a struggle at the start of the race, but was able to finish well.
“It feels good to win, especially with how tough the race was,” Hurst said. “But today proves if you put your mind to something and you work hard you can accomplish anything.”
Brown was a first time competitor at the Simplot Games, but that didn’t stop her from taking care of business.
“I wish I would have come here before,” Brown said. “But I’m glad this is how I’ll remember Pocatello.”
Argyle pulled out a miraculous finish in the last 50 meters of his race blowing by the competitors as he hit the finish line.
“I’ve been working hard, doing a lot of speed work,” Argyle said. “It paid off today. It was a fast track, a fantastic crowd, the best competition. This is a great place to run.”
Overall, Utah had a solid performance, having 25 medallists hit the podium. The Caveman Track Club, from American Fork, placed second in the girls’ 4x800-meter relay. Also earning runner-up honors was Steve Morrin, a junior from Alpine, who took second in the boys’ 3200-meter event. Below is a complete list of all the Utah athletes who placed top six in their respective events.
Women 4x800-Meter Relay
· Caveman Track Club ‘A’ – 2nd
· Davis Track Club ‘A’ – 4th
Men Shot Put
· Chris Johnson (senior, Brigham City) – 5th
Men Long Jump
· Scott Matheson (senior, Pleasant Grove) – 5th
Men 60-Meter Dash
· Parker Bluth (senior, Riverton) - 4th
Men 1600 Sprint Medley
· Syracuse Track Club ‘A’ – 3rd
· Pleasant Grove ‘A’ – 6th
Women Shot Put
· Jamie Duckworth (senior, Riverton) – 3rd
Men 400-Meter Dash
· Andy Rounds (junior, Salt Lake City) 2nd
· Parker Bluth (senior, Riverton) – 4th
· Spencer Larsen (senior, Sandy) – 6th
Men High Jump
· Zach Blackham (senior, Orem) – 1st
· Ryan Scott (junior, Salt Lake) – 3rd
· Parker Cressman (senior, Spanish Fork) – 6th
Women 4x200-Meter Relay
· Davis Track Club ‘A’ – 6th
Women 3200-Meter Run
· Susannah Hurst (junior, Holladay) – 1st
· Summer Harper (freshman, Orem) – 4tt
· Kelsey Braithwaite (sophomore, Perry) – 6th
Men 3200-Meter Run
· Steve Morrin (junior, Alpine) – 2n
· Spencer Hanson (junior, Spanish Fork) – 6th
· Clayton Young (sophomore, American Fork) – 4th
Women 4x400-Meter Relay
· Davis Track Club ‘A’ – 6th
Men 4x400-Meter Relay
· Syracuse Track Club ‘A’ – 4th
Women 800-Meter Run
· Kelsey Brown (senior, Orem)- 1st
Men 1600-Meter Run
· Evan Argyle (senior, Pleasant Grove) – 1st
Zach Blackham, a senior from Orem; Susannah Hurst, a junior from Holladay; Kelsey Brown, a senior from Orem; and Evan Argyle, a senior from Pleasant Grove; were the four Utah representatives to claim their spot on top of the podium at the 32nd Simplot Games.
Blackham earned the top honors in the boys’ high jump by clearing a height of 6’10”. Hurst took first in the girls’ 3200-meter run with a time of 11:16.59. Brown won the girls’ 800-meter run with a time of 2:11.05. Argyle won the title in the boys’ 1600-meter run with a time of 4:24.11.
Blackham, who was competing in his first Simplot Games, broke his own personal best height by two inches.
“I’m trying to get better, and people told me Simplot Games would be a fun event,” Blackham said. “It was really fun.”
Hurst had a bit of a struggle at the start of the race, but was able to finish well.
“It feels good to win, especially with how tough the race was,” Hurst said. “But today proves if you put your mind to something and you work hard you can accomplish anything.”
Brown was a first time competitor at the Simplot Games, but that didn’t stop her from taking care of business.
“I wish I would have come here before,” Brown said. “But I’m glad this is how I’ll remember Pocatello.”
Argyle pulled out a miraculous finish in the last 50 meters of his race blowing by the competitors as he hit the finish line.
“I’ve been working hard, doing a lot of speed work,” Argyle said. “It paid off today. It was a fast track, a fantastic crowd, the best competition. This is a great place to run.”
Overall, Utah had a solid performance, having 25 medallists hit the podium. The Caveman Track Club, from American Fork, placed second in the girls’ 4x800-meter relay. Also earning runner-up honors was Steve Morrin, a junior from Alpine, who took second in the boys’ 3200-meter event. Below is a complete list of all the Utah athletes who placed top six in their respective events.
Women 4x800-Meter Relay
· Caveman Track Club ‘A’ – 2nd
· Davis Track Club ‘A’ – 4th
Men Shot Put
· Chris Johnson (senior, Brigham City) – 5th
Men Long Jump
· Scott Matheson (senior, Pleasant Grove) – 5th
Men 60-Meter Dash
· Parker Bluth (senior, Riverton) - 4th
Men 1600 Sprint Medley
· Syracuse Track Club ‘A’ – 3rd
· Pleasant Grove ‘A’ – 6th
Women Shot Put
· Jamie Duckworth (senior, Riverton) – 3rd
Men 400-Meter Dash
· Andy Rounds (junior, Salt Lake City) 2nd
· Parker Bluth (senior, Riverton) – 4th
· Spencer Larsen (senior, Sandy) – 6th
Men High Jump
· Zach Blackham (senior, Orem) – 1st
· Ryan Scott (junior, Salt Lake) – 3rd
· Parker Cressman (senior, Spanish Fork) – 6th
Women 4x200-Meter Relay
· Davis Track Club ‘A’ – 6th
Women 3200-Meter Run
· Susannah Hurst (junior, Holladay) – 1st
· Summer Harper (freshman, Orem) – 4tt
· Kelsey Braithwaite (sophomore, Perry) – 6th
Men 3200-Meter Run
· Steve Morrin (junior, Alpine) – 2n
· Spencer Hanson (junior, Spanish Fork) – 6th
· Clayton Young (sophomore, American Fork) – 4th
Women 4x400-Meter Relay
· Davis Track Club ‘A’ – 6th
Men 4x400-Meter Relay
· Syracuse Track Club ‘A’ – 4th
Women 800-Meter Run
· Kelsey Brown (senior, Orem)- 1st
Men 1600-Meter Run
· Evan Argyle (senior, Pleasant Grove) – 1st
Wyoming athletes win three events in big day for the Cowboy State at Simplot Games
by Melissa Bohne
Casper’s Gibson wins shot put; Cheyenne relay team is tops; Cody pole vaulters go one-two; many others place
Baile Gibson, a senior, from Casper , Wyoming , won the womens’ shot put event at the 32nd annual Simplot Games. She won with a distance of 45’ 5”.
“I felt pretty good in practice,” said Gibson. “I felt good all week and so I just went in thinking I could do it. I just worked hard.”
Gibson’s hard work paid off as she improved her distance with each throw. The end result was the win.
Also winning gold for Wyoming is the women’s Cheyenne Central Indians 4x800 relay team, and Alex Gwynn, a senior from Cody , Wyoming , who won the men’s pole vault, with a height of 15’ 6”, topping teammate and runner-up Quinn Rivera.
Other medalists include:
Men 60 Meter Hurdles
· Taylor Villegas (senior, Casper ) – 4th
Women 4x800-Meter Relay
· Cheyenne Central Indians ‘A’ – 1st
Men Pole Vault
· Alex Gwynn (senior, Cody) – 1st
· Quinn Rivera (sophomore, Cody) – 2nd
· Brandon Grove (senior, Riverton) – 4th
Women 1600 Sprint Medley
· Cheyenne Central Indians ‘A’ – 3rd
Women Shot Put
· Baile Gibson (senior, Casper ) – 1st
Men 800-Meter Run
· Cody Francom (senior, Green River) – 4th
Women 3200-Meter Run
· Lela Carpenter (senior, Sheridan) – 2nd
· Dana Morin (senior, Sheridan) – 3rd
· Nicole Peterson (senior, Rock Springs ) – 5th
Men 3200-Meter Run
· Garrett Zans (senior, Rock Springs ) – 3rd
· Spencer Pecha (senior, Gillette) – 5th
Casper’s Gibson wins shot put; Cheyenne relay team is tops; Cody pole vaulters go one-two; many others place
Baile Gibson, a senior, from Casper , Wyoming , won the womens’ shot put event at the 32nd annual Simplot Games. She won with a distance of 45’ 5”.
“I felt pretty good in practice,” said Gibson. “I felt good all week and so I just went in thinking I could do it. I just worked hard.”
Gibson’s hard work paid off as she improved her distance with each throw. The end result was the win.
Also winning gold for Wyoming is the women’s Cheyenne Central Indians 4x800 relay team, and Alex Gwynn, a senior from Cody , Wyoming , who won the men’s pole vault, with a height of 15’ 6”, topping teammate and runner-up Quinn Rivera.
Other medalists include:
Men 60 Meter Hurdles
· Taylor Villegas (senior, Casper ) – 4th
Women 4x800-Meter Relay
· Cheyenne Central Indians ‘A’ – 1st
Men Pole Vault
· Alex Gwynn (senior, Cody) – 1st
· Quinn Rivera (sophomore, Cody) – 2nd
· Brandon Grove (senior, Riverton) – 4th
Women 1600 Sprint Medley
· Cheyenne Central Indians ‘A’ – 3rd
Women Shot Put
· Baile Gibson (senior, Casper ) – 1st
Men 800-Meter Run
· Cody Francom (senior, Green River) – 4th
Women 3200-Meter Run
· Lela Carpenter (senior, Sheridan) – 2nd
· Dana Morin (senior, Sheridan) – 3rd
· Nicole Peterson (senior, Rock Springs ) – 5th
Men 3200-Meter Run
· Garrett Zans (senior, Rock Springs ) – 3rd
· Spencer Pecha (senior, Gillette) – 5th
I.S.C. L.S.I Empire Athletics of Mountain View, Calif., wins girl’s 4x400 relay at Simplot
by Clayton Cook
Katie Nelms, Iesha Hardiman, Jazmia Harper, and Cierra Jordan, of Mountain View, Calif., representing I.S.C. L.S.I Empire Athletics won the girl’s 4x400 relay at the 32nd annual Simplot Games. They won with a time of 3:54.72.
“We won because of our focus and readiness to run,” said Jordan.
I.S.C. L.S.I Empire Athletics are regulars at the Simplot Games.
“We love the Simplot Games, and the potatoes!” said Hardiman.
Katie Nelms, Iesha Hardiman, Jazmia Harper, and Cierra Jordan, of Mountain View, Calif., representing I.S.C. L.S.I Empire Athletics won the girl’s 4x400 relay at the 32nd annual Simplot Games. They won with a time of 3:54.72.
“We won because of our focus and readiness to run,” said Jordan.
I.S.C. L.S.I Empire Athletics are regulars at the Simplot Games.
“We love the Simplot Games, and the potatoes!” said Hardiman.
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