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. 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 45.60828718581938 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.

Honorary Chairperson of the Simplot Games
Dick Fosbury

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.

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.

Coaches
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.