Tara Richmond from Long Beach, Calif., wins the Girls High Jump at the 32nd Simplot Games

by Spencer Ward

Tara Richmond, a senior from Long Beach, Calif., leaped past the field and the 5’8” bar to stand atop the podium at the 32nd annual Simplot Games.

“I’ve always enjoyed Simplot,” Richmond said. “I find Pocatello extremely peaceful. So to win in my last year is really exciting.”

Tara Richmond wins the girls' high jump at Simplot Games.

Photo by Mike Roberts
mroberts@122bresnan.net

click photo for high resolution image

Jenna Adams from Littleton, Colo., wins Girls Pole Vault at 32nd Simplot Games

by Tyler Gibbons

Jenna Adams, a senior from Littleton, Colo., cleared the bar and the rest of the field to win girls pole vault event at the 32nd annual Simplot Games.

“The hash browns I had this morning, combined with the awesome Simplot atmosphere, was all I needed,” said Adams.

Jennifer Clayton, from New York, wins girls long jump at 2010 Simplot Games

by Clayton Cook

Jennifer Clayton, a senior from New York City , won the girls long jump at the 32nd annual Simplot Games.

“It’s exciting because this was my first time at Simplot Games,” says Clayton. "But it’s sad because I don’t get to come back."

Clayton, who jumped 19’4.75”, edged out her teammate Nicole Cummings who jumped 19’0”. Clayton’s jump of 19’4.75” came on only her second jump of the day, as she was unable to better it throughout the rest of the competition.

Although she says she is happy she won, Clayton feels she could have done better. “I’m a little disappointed that I didn’t go over 20’, but I’m still happy.”

Following the two New York athletes were Brittany Lewis, a junior, from Denver , Colorado , who jumped 18’8”, and Chyna Ries, a freshman, also from Denver , who jumped 18’6”.

Jennifer Clayton wins the girls' long jump at Simplot Games.

Photo by Mike Roberts
mroberts@122bresnan.net

click photo for high resolution image

Boise’s Covington ready for the Simplot Games finals

By Spencer Ward

Overcoming disappointment pushes Covington to bring his game to the next level

Pocatello, Idaho- Kasen Covington is ready to succeed in the finals at the 2010 Simplot Games.

After facing disappointment with the news in 2009 that he would not be attending the Youth World Championships in Italy, Covington became more determined and motivated to bring his performance to the next level.

Covington, the top ranked triple jumper in the U.S. this year, is the favorite to win the Simplot Games triple jump again this year.

“Simplot is a great meet, I love it, I look forward to it every indoor season. You get great competition and a great track; it’s a great atmosphere,” says Covington, who competes for YMCA Team Idaho.

A senior, Covington has signed with the University of Washington, where he hopes to continue to succeed. He hopes to find himself running circuits in Europe and eventually representing his country at the Olympics.

But first comes today’s Simplot Games finals, a hop, skip, and jump toward the future.

Tyrell Yardley Down But Not Out

By Clayton Cook

When Tyrell Yardley, from Syracuse, Utah, came to the 2010 Simplot Games, he was greeted with high expectations from pretty much everybody who has ever seen him run. Yardley was returning off his fourth place finish in the 60-meter race in 2009. Also, shortly after the games last year he set the all-time Utah record in the 200-meter race with a time of 21.15.

“I came back because I wanted to win the 400,” said Yardley.

That dream came to a screeching halt Friday morning when Yardley tore his hamstring while winning his 400-meter heat. Yardley was not only forced to scratch from his 60-meter heat later that day, but forego the rest of the competition completely.

Yardley described the injury as “disappointing but not heartbreaking.”

With Yardley’s record time in the 200 and Utah’s second best times ever in the 400 and 100, he is among the best sprinters ever to come from the state of Utah. Although he says Utah has some great runners, Yardley admits he enjoys competing against the best competition in the nation, which the Simplot Games bring every year. “I really enjoy the competition of the Simplot Games,” said Yardley.

Although Yardley won’t be able to finish he career properly by winning the Simplot Games, he still has a huge track and field future in front of him. After recently signing with Brigham Young University on February 3, he will compete one year for the Cougars before going on his LDS mission, and he plans on returning back to BYU for the remainder of his three years after.

“It should be fun,” said Yardley, who gives credit to his high school coach for his success, and looks forward to working with BYU’s staff. “They have coaches specialized for each event, which will allow for more one-on-one time with me and the coaches.”

Although Yardley will be “icing up and cheering on teammates” for the rest of the competition, there is still plenty of action to watch on Saturday as the 2010 Simplot Games wrap up.

Tyrell Yardley wins his heat in the 400-meter dash at Simplot Games.

Photo by Mike Roberts
mroberts@122bresnan.net

click photo for high resolution image