Simplot Games

Simplot Games is an indoor track and field meet in the western United States, one of the nation's premier high school events.[1] Held annually in February at Holt Arena, on the campus of Idaho State University in Pocatello, Idaho, it is sponsored by the J.R. Simplot Company.

Pocatello
Location in the western United States
Pocatello
Location in Idaho

More than 1,500 athletes from over 20 states and Canada travel to the Simplot Games, held on the weekend of the third Saturday in February. The Games were first held 42 years ago in 1979, and Holt Arena’s unique 200-meter banked-board track is one of the fastest in North America. Records have been broken regularly since the track debuted in the early 1970s.

At the Simplot Games, high school athletes get the chance to mingle with guest Olympic legends such as honorary chairman Dick Fosbury. The Games also offers recognition for all participants with the Parade of Athletes, an Olympic-style event. The Games are unique among national events because it is an open meet, which means athletes do not need a certain qualifying time or distance to be able to compete. All high school age athletes are welcome at the Simplot Games, giving students from all over the chance to compete, and admission is free.

Meet Management

Honorary Chairperson of the Simplot Games

Dick Fosbury

Executive Committee

Lisa Woodland – Executive Director
Greg Burch – Meet Director
Kristi Samuelson - Assistant Executive Director
Kevin Robbins – J.R. Simplot Co.
John Bob – J.R. Simplot Co.
Rick Phillips – J.R. Simplot Co.

History

In 1979 Simplot Games was just a small regional track meet. Today it is one of the nation’s premier high school track and field events. The Games have come a long way. Every year Simplot Games has continued old traditions while adding new features that make it the event that it is today.

Milestones

1979 – Simplot takes over financial sponsorship of the Bennion Games
1984 – High jumper Lisa Bernhagen of Hailey, Idaho, sets Games’ first National Record (the record still stands)
1985 – Simplot hires its first Meet Director and takes on entire responsibility
1985 – Computers are used for the first time to run the meet
1988 – Simplot Games celebrates 10th Anniversary with introduction of 1st Commemorative Pin
1994 – adidas joins Simplot Games as an official sponsor
1995 — Olympians Florence Griffith Joyner (FloJo) & Al Joyner make their first appearance at the Games
1997 – Games website (www.simplotgames.com) goes online
1998 – J. R. Simplot receives the first “Pacesetter” award from USA Track & Field (USATF)
1999 – First use of the “Big Screen” in Holt Arena to pay tribute to the memory of FloJo, who died in 1998
2000 & 2001 – USATF brings its professional meet to the Simplot Games. Stacy Dragila set a world record in the Pole Vault in 2000 and broke it (twice) in 2001
2003 – On-Line Registration begins
2008 – Simplot Games celebrates 30 Years; J.R. Simplot passes away on May 25, 2008, at the age of 99
2009 – “Spirit of the Games Award” to honor J.R. Simplot is presented to Olympian Dick Fosbury, Honorary Chairman of the Simplot Games

J.R. “Jack” Simplot’s contribution and dedication to Simplot Games

John Richard “Jack” Simplot was an enthusiastic supporter of Simplot Games and regularly attended the Games on Saturdays to view the ceremonies and final events. He enjoyed mingling with the high school participants, shaking hands and encouraging them to do well on the track and in school, and sharing one of his secrets to success: “Stay with it and just do your best.”

He recognized the similarity in finding success in business and on the track: hard work, vision, the willingness to take risks, and the ability to overcome the odds.

And Jack Simplot, who launched his empire at the age of 14, no doubt recognized the potential in each of the young athletes he greeted.

Ceremonies and Parade of Athletes

The Ceremonies and Parade of Athletes has been an annual tradition of the Simplot Games. During this Olympic-style event, 2,000 athletes make their way around Idaho State University's historic wood track. Also during the Ceremonies and Parade of Athletes special guest are introduced, national anthems are played, and athletes from each state enjoy their moment in the spotlight.

Meet Records

Boys

EVENTRECORDATHLETE/TEAMYEAR
60 Meter6.68Kenny O’Neal, Sacramento, CA2004
60 Meter Hurdle7.78Michael Hancock, Denver, CO2008
200 Meter21.41Faquawn Green, New Bern, NC2010
400 Meter45.92Elzie Coleman, Newburg, NY2004
800 Meter1:49.46Joshua Hammond, Leduc, Alberta2015
1600 Meter4:10.22Ricky Faure, Rock Spring, WY2014
3200 Meter9:00.62Ben Saarel, SLC, UT2013
4X200 Relay1:27.60Track Eastern Carolina, New Bern, NC2009
4X400 Relay3:14.84John Muir R.C., Pasadena, CA1996
4X800 Relay7:47.88Bingham Track Club, So. Jordan, UT1998
Medley Relay3:26.28Track Eastern Carolina, New Bern, NC2009
High Jump7′ 2 ¼ “Alfredo Deza, Lima, Peru1998
Long Jump24′ 8 ½”Clarence Scott, Long Beach, CA1996
Triple Jump52′ 2 ¾”Greg Yeldell, Spencer, NC1998
Shot Put77′ 2 ¾”Ryan Crouser, Gresham, OR1998
Pole Vault17′ 6 1/4″Pat Manson, Denver, CO1986
Weight Throw82′ 7 1/4″Leif Arrhenius, Orem, UT2004

[2]

Girls

EVENTRECORDATHLETE/ TEAMYEAR
60 Meter7.19Ashley Owens, Colorado Springs, CO2004
60 Meter Hurdle8.16Jacquelyn Coward, Knoxville, TN2008
200 Meter22.97Bianca Knight, Ridgeland, MS2007
400 Meter53.38Lashinda Demus, Long Beach, CA2001
800 Meter2:07.00Heidi Houle, Orem, UT2005
1600 Meter4:51.65Alicia Craig, Gillette, Wy2000
3200 Meter10:32.41Emily Kroshus, Calgary, Alb, CA2000
4X200 Relay1:36.55Teekay Track Club, Long Beach, CA1997
4X400 Relay3:44.26United Stars Track Club, Philadelphia, PA2000
4X800 Relay9:12.22Bruin T.C., Orem, UT2003
Medley Relay3:56.40Zodiacs T.C., New York City, NY1996
High Jump6′ 3″Lisa Bernhagen, Hailey, ID1984
Long Jump20′ 5″Brittany Daniels, Tracy, CA2005
Triple Jump43′ 5″Brittany Daniels, Tracy, CA2005
Shot Put51′ 5 ¾”Collinous Newsome, Denver, CO1994
Pole Vault13′ 1″Shade Weygandt, Mansfield, TX2008
Weight Throw60′ 5″Shelby Ashe, Marietta, GA2010

Coaches

EVENTRECORDATHLETE/TEAMYEAR
200 M Men22.04CJ Crow, Denver, CO2008
200 M Men 40+23.48Raphael August, Colorado Springs, CO2002
200 M Women24.84Jackie Poulson, Pocatello, ID2004
1600 M Men4:09.02Elvis Terry, Pocatello, ID1999
1600 M Men 40+4:26.87Jay Woods, Lehi, UT1998
1600 M W4:53.94Nicole Burke, Salt Lake City, UT1992
1600 M W 40+5:08.97Becky Sondag, Casper, WY2010

Legend: At the Time Set – @ National Record, #Age Group National Record


Media Coverage

Full event results, news updates, photos and more information can be found at www.simplotgames.com. News and highlights on Simplot Games are available on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube. Additional Simplot Games news, results, statistics, and photos, as well as high school track and field news, are online at ESPN Rise DyeStat at http://rise.espn.go.com/track-and-xc/index.aspx.

References

  1. "Our Story". Simplot Games. Retrieved February 11, 2017.
  2. "Simplot Games Records". Simplot Games. Retrieved February 11, 2017.

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