Elijah Armstrong of Pocatello, Idaho, wins boys’ 3200 meters at 2015 Simplot Games: Nearly breaks meet record, with Alaska’s Levi Thomet close behind
For Immediate Release
Date February 21, 2015
Contact: Amy Sorensen (801) 554-6988
E-mail: media@simplotgames.com
Elijah Armstrong of Pocatello, Idaho, wins boys’ 3200 meters at 2015 Simplot Games
Nearly breaks meet record, with Alaska’s Levi Thomet close behind
Pocatello, Idaho – Elijah Armstrong, senior from Pocatello, Idaho, won the boys’ 3200-meter run and nearly broke the meet record with a time of 9:01.04 at the 2015 Simplot Games. Armstrong’s time is currently the second fastest in the country, and he finished less than half of a second behind the meet record which stands at 9:00.62.
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.”
Coming into the race, Armstrong definitely had the record on his mind.
“My priorities were win first, record second,” he said, but overall he’s loved his experience with Simplot Games.
“It’s a blessing to come and be in front of my home crowd, and especially to top it off with a win my senior year,” he said. Armstrong looks forward to competing for Boise State in the fall.
“Going forward, I just want to enjoy it and live in the moment,” he said.
Armstrong got to share his final race with friend and tough competitor, Levi Thomet, a senior who made his first trip to Simplot Games from Kodiak, Alaska. Thomet was on Armstrong’s heels the entire race and finished with a time of 9:02.18. Along with being Armstrong’s top competitor, Thomet came to stay at Armstrong’s house while in town for the Games.
“We set a goal that we wanted to break the meet record, no matter which one of us did it,” Thomet said, “We really just wanted to be there and support each other the whole way. I pushed him and he pulled me.”
The race was thrilling to watch as the boys closed out their careers at Simplot Games. Armstrong and Thomet can leave the track this weekend with their heads held high.
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.
###
Simplot Games
The Nation’s Premiere High School Track & Field Event
Pocatello, Idaho
(208) 235-5673
See Simplot Games on Twitter @SimplotGames, Facebook, Instagram, Vine and YouTube
www.simplotgames.com