Simplot Games: U.S. #1-3 in Girls 60m Hurdles, while Boys 400m, Boys & Girls PV Lead the Way

The 30th annual Simplot Games take place this weekend in Pocatello, Idaho, bringing together many of the top athletes out west and a few from the east.  Nearly a dozen separate events highlight this incredibly event, which brings together more than 2,000 athletes.  See which events should steal the show this weekend.

30th Annual Simplot Games

Idaho State University, Pocatello, Idaho

Simplot Games Official Meet Website / Simplot Games Start Lists

  Starting Thursday night in Idaho, over 2,000 athletes will converge on Idaho State University to take part in the Simplot Games, one of the largest indoor track and field competitions in the country.  As usual many of the top ranked athletes in the nation will partake in their respective events, once again making the Simplot Games one the premier indoor track and field competitions.  See which events stand out:

Girls 60m Hurdles - This event is hands down the event of the meet.  The top three returnees from last year in the 100m hurdles will be competing in this event.  Jacquelyn Coward (TN), Vashti Thomas (CA) and Julian Purvis (CA) each have a strong shot to win the race and break the national record of 8.17.  Coward currently ranks U.S. #1 in the event with her speedy mark of 8.35, with Purvis at U.S. #2 in 8.50 and Thomas at U.S. #3 in 8.52.  A dark horse in the competition is Dahlys Marshall (CA) who currently ranks U.S. #5 in the event at 8.58, while U.S. #7 Brianna Patton (CO) ran 8.63 in late-January.  This event is stacked and should be incredibly exciting. as fans might see the best assembled girls hurdle field this indoor season.

Boys Pole Vault - While many media outlets are hyping the match-up between Nico Weiler (CA) and Corey Shank (IN), and rightfully so, there is more to the boys pole vault than simply those two athletes.  While Weiler leads the country currently with his 17-02 vault at the Reno Pole Vault Summit and Shank has cleared 16-04.75 thus far, Jason Pelletier (AR) and Justin Gebecki (WY) have both broken the 16 foot barrier as well and should challenge for top two finishes.  Weiler is the heavy favorite for the event, and it remains to be seen if any other athletes can push that magical 17 foot barrier.

Girls Pole Vault - U.S. #1 Shade Weygandt (TX) versus U.S. #2 Rachel Laurent (LA) is perhaps the second best head-to-head match-up after the girls 60m hurdles.  Both of these athletes have won their fair share of big meets, and now they get a chance to square off for the first time this season.  Weygandt leads the way with her mark fo 13-08 set last weekend in Oklahoma, while Laurent follows closely behind in 13-07.25.  If either of these young women gets on a roll the U.S. prep record of 14-02.5 could be in jeopardy.

Boys 400m Dash - With the top two 400m runners in the nation this season competing in this event, plus another top eight athlete and a fourth with potential to upset, the boys 400m dash should produce some amazing results.  U.S. #1 Kendall Gregory (OH) has been tearing up the tracks in Ohio this winter, ranking as the only runner under 48 seconds at this point.  His chief challenger flies in from New York, as Akinto Boone (NY) ranks second nationally with his mark of 48.34.  These two, plus the addition of 48.90 Dominik Roberts (CO) and Matt Butcher (CO) should set this race up to have numerous athletes push or dip under the 48 second barrier.

Boys Long Jump/Triple Jump - While all the previous events mentioned earlier will feature some of the top talent and could produce many U.S. top three performances, the boys long jump and triple jump have a trio of stars ready to set some top U.S. marks themselves.  Stephen Michel (WY), Omar Craddock (TX) and Andre' McDonald (MO) all have broken 48 feet in the triple jump in their careers, with Michel ranking second in the country currently with his leap of 49-10.5 and Craddock fourth in 49-05.  Each athlete has a great shot to break the 50 foot barrier.  Each athlete will be in contention in the long jump as well, where the 24 foot barrier could be reached.

Girls Shot Put - The girls shot put could very well be the most exciting of the field events outside of the pole vault.  U.S. #3 Brittany Borman (MO) takes on U.S. #7 Lauren Chambers (GA), as both girls try to reach the fifty foot mark for the first time this season.  Borman leads the way with her season PR of 46-11.25, while Chambers follows closely behind in 45-05.

Boys Shot Put - One of the most competitive events this season, the boys shot put, pins two of the nation's best against each other this weekend.  U.S. #7 Mason Finley (CO) enters as the favorite with his season PR of 62-01.5, but U.S. #13 Bryce Hall (UT) will be following close behind with his season PR of 59-01.5.  Expect both athletes to push the 60 foot barrier.

Girls 200m Dash - Ashton Purvis (CA) and Nyosha Bryant (NC) lead the way in the girls 200m dash, each having the certain talent it takes to win the event.  Besides those two, Breanna Hubbard (GA) is also entered in the field.  The Georgia junior currently ranks atop the 55m national rankings and is on a hot streak this season thus far.

Best of the Rest - While the events listed above are the featured events with some of the deepest competition, a few other events and athletes stand out as well.  The Boys 1600m run hosts a slew of talented individuals, led by U.S. #1 in the mile Luke Puskedra (UT).  Puskedra hasn't competed since his big Reebok Boston Indoor Games mile win last month and should be looking to make a statement.  He will be shadowed by fellow Foot Locker finalist Stephen Clark (UT) and strong mile contenders Spencer Gardner (UT) and home-state favorite Eric Fitzpatrick (ID).

  On the girls side of things, Natalie Stewart (UT) takes to the track in the 400m dash, while Karynn Dunn (CA) looks to repeat as champion in the long jump. 

  The best of the best will come out and compete this weekend in Idaho.  You do not want to miss this!