2023 Simplot Games: Day 1 Results & Recap

POCATELLO, ID. Plenty of the Gem State's finest athletes will be competing this weekend at the 43rd annual Simplot Games at Idaho State University's Holt Arena in Pocatello. The Simplot Games, which was first contested in 1979, has played host to several future Olympians, including Allyson Felix, Ryan Crouser and Tara Davis. Olympians in attendance at this year's games will be Dick Fosbury, Stacy Dragila, Andre Phillips, Willie Banks, Ryan Crouser, and para-Olympian's John Register and Tyson Gunter. Be sure to check below for all of the information you need for the 2023 Simplot Games.

Day one held prelims in the boys 1600m, 3200m, 60m, 60mH and the final for the weight throw, while on the girls' side, prelims were held in the 3200m, 60m, 60mH and the final for the weight throw. In the boys 1600m, Matt Thomas of Blackfoot was the fastest qualifier out of Idaho with his time of 4:27.20 (4th), just ahead of Boise's Noe Kemper (4:28.77, 6th). In the sprints, it was Gatlin Bair making his Burley High School debut, dropping the fastest qualifying time on the day overall in the 60m, 6.84. Trevion Walker (Caldwell) posted a qualifying time of 7.15 (7th), Kolton Osborn (Centennial) advanced with his time of 7.17 (9th), as did Jacob Webster (Centennial) with his 7.19 (13th). In the 60m hurdles, Augustas Haynes (Ridgevue) advanced, finishing with a time of 8.50 (7th), while Eli Taylor (Rigby) also advanced with a time of 8.65 (14th).


Jessica Krzemien Photography

On the girls' side, there were several qualifiers in the girls 3200m, including Nelah Roberts (Skyline, 11:50.10, 9th), Bailey Bird (Pocatello, 11:52.91, 10th) and Meredith Sanford (Highland, 11:54.28, 14th). Claire Petersen of Skyline was the lone Idaho qualifier in the 60m hurdles, placing 11th with a time of 7.96. In the girls' weight throw final, senior Ruby Jordan of Highland - Pocatello finished 4th overall with a throw of 45-02.50. Be sure to click below to read MileSplit Idaho's interview with Ruby.

Jessica Krzemien Photography