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

More than 2,000 athletes from over twenty states, Australia, and Canada travel to the Simplot Games, held on the weekend of the third Saturday in February. First held in 1979, the indoor stadium'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 chair Dick Fosbury (until his death in 2023). The meet also offers recognition for all participants with the Parade of Athletes, an Olympic-style event. The Games are unique among national events as an open meet, which means athletes do not need a certain qualifying time, height, or distance; all high school age athletes are welcome, and admission is free.

Meet Management

Chair of the Simplot Games Dick Fosbury until his death in 2023

Executive committee Kristi Borgholthaus – Executive Director Greg Burch – Meet Director Kevin Robbins – J.R. Simplot Co., retired Trisha Arave – J.R. Simplot Co. Andrea Gumm – J.R. Simplot Co.

History

The Simplot Games began in 1979 as a small regional track meet and has since become one of the nation’s leading high school track and field events. The event maintains its traditions while incorporating new features each year.

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 Gameshttps://www.simplotgames.com 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 dies 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 Games2023 – Ryan Crouser sets a new shot put world record of 23.38 m.

J.R. Simplot Agribusiness magnate J. R. Simplot (1909–2008) was a 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 Source: 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, Newburgh, 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 2008200 M Men 40+ 23.48 Raphael August, Colorado Springs, CO 2002200 M Women 24.84 Jackie Poulson, Pocatello, ID 20041600 M Men 4:09.02 Elvis Terry, Pocatello, ID 19991600 M Men 40+ 4:26.87 Jay Woods, Lehi, UT 19981600 M W 4:53.94 Nicole Burke, Salt Lake City, UT 19921600 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 .

References

External links

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