Simplot Games
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The Simplot Games is one of the nation's premiere indoor track event, that is sponsored by the J.R. Simplot Company. It's an annual event that happens in mid February for the nations top high school athletes.
The Simplot Games is held in Pocatello, Idaho February 17-19, 2011, at Idaho State University’s Holt Arena. The annual J.R. Simplot Company-sponsored event has become one of the nation’s premier high school indoor track and field events since it was first held in 1979.
Although the 2,000 athletes from 20 different states and Canada who travel to Pocatello come to shine under Holt Arena’s bright lights, the Simplot Games weekend itself is about more than just standing atop a podium.
Simplot's unique 200 meter banked-board track, located in Holt Arena on the campus of Idaho State University, is one of the fastest in the nation. Records are broken each year at this one-of-a-kind indoor facility.
Competitors get the chance to mingle with Olympic legends Dick Fosbury, Andre Phillips, Willie Banks, Joey Cheek, Jim Ryun, Stacy Dragila and Ian Waltz. The Games also offers recognition for everyone with the Parade of Athletes, a truly Olympic event.
The Simplot Games is unique because it is an open meet, which means athletes do not need a certain qualifying time or distance to be able to compete. Everyone is welcome at the Games and this allows high school athletes from all over the chance to compete and have fun. It truly makes Simplot Games an extraordinary experience for everyone. Plus, admission to the Games is free.
The Games are more than a track meet. It has become a melting pot of young, aspiring individuals and dedicated business people and volunteers who grow, learn, and improve while coming together in the spirit of competition.
Meet Management
Honorary Chairperson of the Simplot Games Dick Fosbury
’68 Gold Medal Winner High Jump and U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame (1992).U.S. Athlete who gained immortality at the 1968 Olympics, he won the high jump with his back-over the bar style that is known today as the “Fosbury Flop”. Dick is currently the President of the World Olympians Association.
Executive Committee * Rebecca Anderson – Executive Director * Greg Burch – Meet Director – Portneuf Zone Fire Mgmt. Off. – Caribou, Targhee Nat. Forest * Kristi Samuelson - Assistant Executive Director – J.R. Simplot Co. – Production Analyst * Kevin Robbins – J.R. Simplot Co. – Business Systems Analyst * John Bob – J.R. Simplot Co. – Don Plant Manager * Rick Phillips – J.R. Simplot Co. Representative – Director, Public Relations
2011 Guest Olympians
Dick Fosbury * Simplot Games Honorary Chairman * 1968 Gold Medal – Mens High Jump * U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame Member * World Olympians Assoc. President
Andre Philips * 1988 Gold Medal – Mens 400 M Hurdles * Elected in 2009 to National Track & Field Hall of Fame
Willie Banks * 1980, 1984, 1988 Olympics Triple Jump * National Track & Field Hall of Fame member
Stacy Dragila * 2000 Gold Medal Women’s Pole Vault * First Gold Medalist in this Olympic event
Ian Waltz * 2004 and 2008 Olympics Simplot Games Alum
Joey Cheek * Mens Speed Skating Torino 2006 * Team USA’s Flag Bearer in Torino Closing Ceremonies * Gold 500 meter Torino 2006 * Silver 1000 meter Torino 2006 * Bronze 1000 meter Salt Lake City 2002
Jim Ryun * 1968 Silver – Mens’ 1500 meter * 1964, 1968 and 1972 Olympics * First high school runner to break four minute mile * Broke world record in mile at age 19 running 3:55.3
30 Year History
* 1979 – Simplot takes over financial sponsorship of the Bennion Games * 1984 – High jumper Lisa Bernhagen of Hailey, Idaho, sets Games’ first National Record * 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 the 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 * 1999 – First use of the “Big Screen” in Holt Arena to pay tribute to the memory of FloJo, who passed away 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 – Begins On-Line Registration * 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
Meet Records
BOYS 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 1:50.74 Karjuan Williams, New Bern, NC 2006 1600 Meter 4:10.58 Luke Puskedra , SLC, UT 2008 3200 Meter 9:11.05 Josh Rohatinsky, Provo, UT 2000 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 67′ 10 ½” Brent Noon, Vista, CA 1990 Pole Vault 17′ 6 1/4″ Pat Manson, Denver, CO 1986@# Weight Throw 82′ 7 1/4″ Leif Arrhenius, Orem, UT 2004 GIRLS 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 RECORD ATHLETE/ TEAM YEAR 200 Meter Men 22.04 CJ Crow, Denver, CO 2008 200 Meter Men 40+ 23.48 Raphael August, Colorado Springs, CO 2002 200 Meter Women 24.84 Jackie Poulson, Pocatello, ID 2004 1600 Meter Men 4:09.02 Elvis Terry, Pocatello, ID 1999 1600 Meter Men 40+4:26.87 Jay Woods, Lehi, UT 1998 1600 Meter Women 4:53.94 Nicole Burke, Salt Lake City, UT 1992 1600 Meter Women 40+5:08.97 Becky Sondag, Casper, WY 2010
Legend: At the Time Set – @ National Record, #Age Group National Record
Media Coverage
The Games stats, photo's, and results are covered on the internet by DyeStat. Press Releases, and video interviews are covered by the Simplot Media Team via email, Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube.