Simplot Games underway at ICCU Dome
POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) - There is a big event for athletes happening in Pocatello. The Simplot Games started on Thursday at the ICCU Dome at Idaho State University.
The games are bringing together more than 2,000 up-and-coming athletes to compete in track and field events.
"Here at Simplot the standards are so high that it requires the best of the best to come and compete against each other," Noelle Pikus-Pace said.
Select Olympians are in attendance at the games to encourage the young athletes.
"Simplot Games is where I got my start. So this is where honestly, where it all began, where I when I showed up here as a sophomore in high school, I was high jumping shotput and I did shotput and also the relays. And this was really my first taste of a big event like this," she said.
Pikus-Pace is known for winning a silver medal in bobsledding or skeleton during the 2014 olympics among other athletic achievements.
She is here to support her own daughter and to encourage the future generation of athletes.
"I can't believe it was just a blink ago that I was here and now. Kind of crazy that I have a daughter old enough to be competing here, but it's really fun. She's excited to be here and doing a great job," she said.
The games are a great opportunity to be noticed by college scouts and recruiters. Success in these games can even open scholarships opportunities, but even if you don't come out on top, Pikus-Pace has these words of encouragement.
"The future is theirs for the taking. If they if they want it, they can dream it. If they believe it, they can have it," Pikus-Pace said.
The first Simplot Games were held in 1979. There is still a full day of athletic events starting Saturday at 8:30 a.m. with the girl's pole vault. Admission is free to the public.
Christine Huckins from Boise is the top qualifier in the Girls 60 Meter Dash and the 200 Meter Dash. Victor Byaundaombe from Boise is the top qualifier in the Boys Triple Jump followed by Jeremiah Wesseh from Boise. Brady Abbott from Middleton is the top qualifier in the Boys Pole Vault followed by Paul Anderson from Boise.
Other Idaho athletes to watch in the finals include:
- Girls Long Jump - Karlie Bair from Burley.
- Girls 1600 Meter Dash - Klarisa Earl from Ammon.
- Boys 400 Meter Dash - David Gummerall from Nampa.
- Girls 400 Meter Dash - Hannah Bingham from Boise.
- Girls 400 Meter Dash - Tambree Bell from Pocatello.
- Boys High Jump - Jorgen Callahan from Shelley.Â
A full list of Idaho qualifiers is below.
Girls 3200 Meter Run
| ATHLETE NAME | LOCATION |
| Pollock, Chloe | Meridian |
| Earl, Courtney | Ammon |
Girls 1600 Meter Run
| ATHLETE NAME | LOCATION |
| Taylor, Paisley | Boise |
| Roberts, Nelah | Idaho Falls |
Girls Freshman 1600 Meter Run
| ATHLETE NAME | LOCATION |
| Earl, Klarisa | Ammon |
| Spencer, Bella | Monteview |
Girls 800 Meter Run
| ATHLETE NAME | LOCATION |
| Renzello, Hailey | Pocatello |
| Orme, Audrey | Boise |
| Draney, Belle | Meridian |
| Heywood, Brighton | Meridian |
| Gerhart, Lindsey | Herriman |
| Kunz, Kennedy | Idaho Falls |
| Chitwood, Audrey | Boise |
Girls 400 Meter Dash
| ATHLETE NAME | LOCATION |
| Bingham, Hannah | Boise |
| Bell, Tambree | Pocatello |
| Jeppsen, Elly | Preston |
| Hebdon, Oaklie | Malad |
Girls 200 Meter Dash
| ATHLETE NAME | LOCATION |
| Huckins, Christine | Boise |
| Mangum, Matejah | Pocatello |
| Gray, Stella | Boise |
| Mace, Kate | Boise |
Girls 60-Meter Dash
| ATHLETE NAME | LOCATION |
| Huckins, Christine | Boise |
| Keller, Quincy | Boise |
| Mangum, Matejah | Pocatello |
| Bair, Karlie | Burley |
Girls 4 X 400 Meter Relay
| ATHLETE NAME | LOCATION |
| ‘Merican Maniacs | Meridian |
| Idaho Dash Track Club | Boise |
Girls 4 X 200 Meter Relay
| ATHLETE NAME | LOCATION |
| Idaho Dash Track CLub | Boise |
| Ram TC | Pocatello |
Girls Long Jump
| ATHLETE NAME | LOCATION |
| Bair, Karlie | Burley |
| Shomaker, Autumn | Boise |
Girls Pole Vault
| ATHLETE NAME | LOCATION |
| Scott, Abbie | Rigby |
| Martin, Breanna | Garden City |
| Nelson, Mia | Garden City |
Girls Shot Put
| ATHLETE NAME | LOCATION |
| Gray, Stella | Boise |
| Shelton, Isabella | Soda Springs |
Girls High Jump
| ATHLETE NAME | LOCATION |
| Mangum, Matejah | Pocatello |
| Farr, Autumn | Rockland |
| Navest, Avery | Boise |
| McClure, Madison | Rexburg |
| Pebley, Leah | Idaho Falls |
| Smith, Ashlyn | Pocatello |
| Stebbins, Lilly | Challis |
Boys Freshman 1600 Meter Run
| ATHLETE NAME | LOCATION |
| Hansen, Ethan | Pocatello |
Boys 800 Meter Run
| ATHLETE NAME | LOCATION |
| Hunt, Garrett | Challis |
| Carlson, Porter | Meridian |
| Stouffer, Emmett | Bellevue |
Boys 400 Meter Dash
| ATHLETE NAME | LOCATION |
| Gummersall, David | Nampa |
| Savage, Ben | Pocatello |
Boys 200 Meter Dash
| ATHLETE NAME | LOCATION |
| Joyce, Jack | Victor |
| Kirkendall, Ethan | Boise |
| Warren, Caden | Boise |
| Bame, Kaleb | Shelly |
Boys 60-Meter Dash
| ATHLETE NAME | LOCATION |
| Harper, Claytin | Midvale |
| Joyce, Jack | Victor |
| Klassen, Brock | Aberdeen |
| Humphreys, Keanan | Rigby |
Boys 4 X 400 Meter Relay
| ATHLETE NAME | LOCATION |
| Spike Up Athletics | Nampa |
| Idaho Dash Track Club | Boise |
| YMCA Team Idaho | Boise |
Boys 4 X 200 Meter Relay
| ATHLETE NAME | LOCATION |
| Idaho Dash Track Club | Boise |
Boys High Jump
| ATHLETE NAME | LOCATION |
| Callahan, Jorgen | Shelly |
| Rushton, Alex | Burley |
| Andersen, Logan | Nampa |
| Witte, Lucas | Ammon |
| Howell, Aaron | Boise |
Boys Pole Vault
| ATHLETE NAME | LOCATION |
| Abbott, Brady | Middleton |
| Anderson, Paul | Boise |
| Christensen, Tyrell | Rigby |
| Vinson, Van | Boise |
| Merwin, Garrett | Idaho Falls |
| Scott, Kade | Rigby |
| Farmer, Jacob | Garden City |
| Nunnemaker, Jarod | Garden City |
Boys Shot Put
| ATHLETE NAME | LOCATION |
| Kersey, James | Hansen |
| Mendoza, Eugenio | Hansen |
| Schiffmann, Gavin | Pocatello |
| Johns, Blake | Nampa |
Boys Long Jump
| ATHLETE NAME | LOCATION |
| Harper, Claytin | Midvale |
| Warren, Caden | Boise |
| Allen-Heinrich, Izaiah | Boise |
Boys Triple Jump
| ATHLETE NAME | LOCATION |
| Byaundaombe, Victor | Boise |
| Wesseh, Jeremiah | Boise |
Boys 3200 Meter Run
| ATHLETE NAME | LOCATION |
| Helder, Kaden | Boise |
| Cervi-Skinner, Maximus | Coeur d’Alene |
| Sheesley, Jack | Boise |
Boys 1600 Meter Run
| ATHLETE NAME | LOCATION |
| Stadlander, Nate | Boise |
| Cervi-Skinner, Zack | Coeur d’Alene |
| Stockett, Luke | Nampa |
| King, Jacob | Coeur d’Alene |
| Goss, Charles | Boise |
| Frampton, Russell | Twin Falls |
| Athay, Luke | Idaho Falls |
| Carr, Wyatt | Coeur d’Alene |
