Simplot Games Showcase Idaho Athletes

All-Idaho Relay

By Steven Wozniak

 

Idaho spectators at this year?s Simplot Games will be treated to a new event that will showcase the top relay teams from the state of Idaho in the boys 4x200-meter relay and the girls 4x200 relay.

The top six Idaho teams that do not qualify to run in the Games? overall 12 team final will be given a chance to run in the first annual All-Idaho relay competition. There they will duke it out to stake their claim as the best relay teams in the state early in the track and field season.

?We wanted to have an event, or a couple of events, where we could single out Idaho kids,? Greg Burch, Simplot Games meet director said.  ?The relays have the most impact on kids.?

Overall this event will give 48 extra athletes ? 24 boys and 24 girls on six teams from both the boys and the girls side ? a chance to run at least one more time for something that counts.

?What this does is it gives Idaho kids a chance to compete against their own peers within the state,? said Burch.

Sean Schmidt, track coach from Skyline High School in Idaho Falls, echoed Burch?s statement.

?I think that it will be great because the kids will feel like that they have a chance to see what they?ve got against each other,? said Schmidt.

Track coach David Behrend, from Pocatello?s Century High School, points out that Simplot Games are not part of the regular season, so it is an event that his athletes are not in top condition for.  He says adding the relays is a positive event.

?It is a good thing to keep our kids interested and gives them an opportunity for success at Simplot Games,? Behrend said.

Simplot Games features athletes from all over the nation that have indoor track seasons and have better weather to prepare for this event.  For many teams in Idaho, it is difficult to prepare for the Games because of the cold weather and the lack of an indoor track season.

?A lot of times some people feel that, ?Why should I come and compete at the games?? If that?s the way a person looks at it, then I guess they are correct,? Burch said.  ?However, there have been a lot of kids that have come here and competed against these more experienced athletes and then they?ve increased their performances.?

Being the first year that the Games are holding this event, it may take some time to catch on to local teams and clubs throughout the state.

?I?m thinking that it may not have as much of an impact this first year because it?s new,? said Burch.  ?But after this, I think it will be something that a lot of kids will remember.?

The 4x200-relay finals are scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 18, 2006, beginning at 2:30 p.m.

For more information on Simplot Games, go to www.simplotgames.com.

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