For Immediate Release
February 21, 2015
Contact: Amanda Meixel, (702) 370-4484
E-mail: media@simplotgames.com
Athletes from near and far shine at 37th annual Simplot Games
Idahoan wins 3200, Canadian record falls, Australian athlete gets gold, and several top times set by U.S. athletes
Pocatello, Idaho–Simplot Games has truly become an international event presenting gold medals to athletes from Australia, Canada, and the U.S.
Local athlete Elijah Armstrong, a senior from Pocatello, Idaho, won the boys’ 3200-meter run and nearly broke the meet record with a time of 9:01.04. Armstrong’s time is currently the second fastest in the country, and he finished less than half of a second behind the meet record.
Armstrong is no stranger to Simplot Games, having competed all four years of his high school career. Although he’s always been a standout athlete, his first place finish has eluded him as he’s come in second all three years of past competition. His first place finish couldn’t have come at a better time as this will be his last year competing at Simplot Games.
“I wouldn’t change any experience I’ve had for anything,” said Armstrong. “My three second place finishes just made it that much sweeter.”
Canadian Victoria Tachinski, a sophomore, from Winnipeg, Manitoba, won the girls’ 400-meter dash in her first visit to Pocatello. Tachinski’s winning time of 54:05 was a new Canadian youth indoor record and a personal record for Tachinski.
“I was prepared. I was ready mentally and physically,” said Tachinski. “I had it in my mind to run fast and I did.”
Australian Amelia Mazza-Downie, a sophomore from Melbourne, Victoria, won the girls’ 3200 meters with time of 10:33.25, just 0.84 seconds short of the Simplot Games meet record.
Mazza-Downie ran on an indoor track for the first time on Thursday.
“It was much easier to run here with no wind,” said Mazza-Downie. “It was harder to run in a higher altitude.” Mazza-Downie was in control throughout the 16 laps, beating 2014 champion Makena Morley, a senior from Bigfork, Mont., by eight seconds.
Mazza-Downie becomes the first Australian to win an event at Simplot Games. This is the first year athletes from Australia have competed. “I feel like I’m famous here,” said Mazza-Downie. “I’m happy.”
Other stellar Simplot Games performances included:
More than 2,000 athletes have come from across the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Australia to participate in the 37th annual Simplot Games. Simplot Games remains the nation’s premier high school indoor track and field event. Sponsored by the J.R. Simplot Company since 1979, the Simplot Games are held at Idaho State University’s Holt Arena in Pocatello, Idaho.
For more information on Simplot Games, please visit our website at www.simplotgames.com. You may also contact Lisa Woodland at (208) 235-5673 or Simplot Games Media Team at media@simplotgames.com.
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Simplot Games
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