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.
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 44 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
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 |
| 2023 – Ryan Crouser sets a new shot put world record of 23.38 m. [2] |
J.R. Simplot
Agribusiness magnate J. R. Simplot (1909–2008) was an enthusiastic supporter of the Simplot Games and regularly attended on Saturdays to view the ceremonies and final events. He enjoyed mingling with the high school participants, shaking hands, 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.
Simplot launched his empire in 1923 at age fourteen in Declo in Cassia County, and 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[3]
Boys
| EVENT | RECORD | ATHLETE/TEAM | YEAR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60 Meter | 6.68 | Kenny O’Neal, Sacramento, CA | 2004 |
| 60 Meter Hurdle | 7.78 | Michael Hancock, Denver, CO | 2008 |
| 200 Meter | 21.41 | Faquawn Green, New Bern, NC | 2010 |
| 400 Meter | 45.92 | Elzie Coleman, Newburg, NY | 2004 |
| 800 Meter | 1:49.46 | Joshua Hammond, Leduc, Alberta | 2015 |
| 1600 Meter | 4:10.22 | Ricky Faure, Rock Spring, WY | 2014 |
| 3200 Meter | 9:00.62 | Ben Saarel, SLC, UT | 2013 |
| 4X200 Relay | 1:27.60 | Track Eastern Carolina, New Bern, NC | 2009 |
| 4X400 Relay | 3:14.84 | John Muir R.C., Pasadena, CA | 1996 |
| 4X800 Relay | 7:47.88 | Bingham Track Club, So. Jordan, UT | 1998 |
| Medley Relay | 3:26.28 | Track Eastern Carolina, New Bern, NC | 2009 |
| High Jump | 7′ 2 ¼ “ | Alfredo Deza, Lima, Peru | 1998 |
| Long Jump | 24′ 8 ½” | Clarence Scott, Long Beach, CA | 1996 |
| Triple Jump | 52′ 2 ¾” | Greg Yeldell, Spencer, NC | 1998 |
| Shot Put | 77′ 2 ¾” | Ryan Crouser, Gresham, OR | 1998 |
| Pole Vault | 17′ 6 1/4″ | Pat Manson, Denver, CO | 1986 |
| Weight Throw | 82′ 7 1/4″ | Leif Arrhenius, Orem, UT | 2004 |
Girls
| EVENT | RECORD | ATHLETE/ TEAM | YEAR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60 Meter | 7.19 | Ashley Owens, Colorado Springs, CO | 2004 |
| 60 Meter Hurdle | 8.16 | Jacquelyn Coward, Knoxville, TN | 2008 |
| 200 Meter | 22.97 | Bianca Knight, Ridgeland, MS | 2007 |
| 400 Meter | 53.38 | Lashinda Demus, Long Beach, CA | 2001 |
| 800 Meter | 2:07.00 | Heidi Houle, Orem, UT | 2005 |
| 1600 Meter | 4:51.65 | Alicia Craig, Gillette, Wy | 2000 |
| 3200 Meter | 10:32.41 | Emily Kroshus, Calgary, Alb, CA | 2000 |
| 4X200 Relay | 1:36.55 | Teekay Track Club, Long Beach, CA | 1997 |
| 4X400 Relay | 3:44.26 | United Stars Track Club, Philadelphia, PA | 2000 |
| 4X800 Relay | 9:12.22 | Bruin T.C., Orem, UT | 2003 |
| Medley Relay | 3:56.40 | Zodiacs T.C., New York City, NY | 1996 |
| High Jump | 6′ 3″ | Lisa Bernhagen, Hailey, ID | 1984 |
| Long Jump | 20′ 5″ | Brittany Daniels, Tracy, CA | 2005 |
| Triple Jump | 43′ 5″ | Brittany Daniels, Tracy, CA | 2005 |
| Shot Put | 51′ 5 ¾” | Collinous Newsome, Denver, CO | 1994 |
| Pole Vault | 13′ 1″ | Shade Weygandt, Mansfield, TX | 2008 |
| Weight Throw | 60′ 5″ | Shelby Ashe, Marietta, GA | 2010 |
Coaches
| EVENT | RECORD | ATHLETE/TEAM | YEAR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 200 M Men | 22.04 | CJ Crow, Denver, CO | 2008 |
| 200 M Men 40+ | 23.48 | Raphael August, Colorado Springs, CO | 2002 |
| 200 M Women | 24.84 | Jackie Poulson, Pocatello, ID | 2004 |
| 1600 M Men | 4:09.02 | Elvis Terry, Pocatello, ID | 1999 |
| 1600 M Men 40+ | 4:26.87 | Jay Woods, Lehi, UT | 1998 |
| 1600 M W | 4:53.94 | Nicole Burke, Salt Lake City, UT | 1992 |
| 1600 M W 40+ | 5:08.97 | Becky Sondag, Casper, WY | 2010 |
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
- "Our Story". Simplot Games. Retrieved February 11, 2017.
- "Crouser breaks world shot put record with 23.38m in Idaho | REPORT | World Athletics". www.worldathletics.org. Retrieved 2023-02-20.
- "Simplot Games Records". Simplot Games. Retrieved February 26, 2023.