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