Canadian high school students win events at Simplot Games
Canadians were well-represented at the Simplot Games in Idaho, one of North America's largest meets, as two high school girls won their events.
A pair of Canadian high school athletes won events at the Simplot Games, one of the largest high school competitions in North America, on the weekend.
The event was held from Feb. 18-20 in Pocatello, Idaho, the site of Idaho State University, located in the southern portion of Idaho near the Wyoming and Utah borders. The Simplot Games attracts more than 2,100 athletes annually with a number of Canadian high school athletes making the trip south.
Victoria Tachinski and Ginelle DeMone, both of who represented Canada at the IAAF World Youth Championships in 2015, won events at the prestigious meet.
It's Official ? Simplot Champion https://t.co/KLSKNRnHcK
— Victoria Tachinski (@victoriatach) February 20, 2016
Tachinski won the girls 400m despite being in the second fastest heat. Out of a slower section, the Winnipeg resident ran 54.38 in the finals to win the race. She was in a slower heat due to her preliminary time.
In the girls 800m, DeMone, from Leduc High School just outside of Edmonton, ran 2:12.89 to come away victorious.
The meet is sponsored by J.R. Simplot Company known as one of the primary suppliers of french fries to many fast food chains including McDonald’s. The meet has been held each year since 1979.
2:12.89 for @GDeMone of @LeducCompositeH wins @SimplotGames girls 800-meter title #SimplotGames
— DyeStatCAL (@DyeStatCAL) February 21, 2016
A number of Olympians were also in attendance for the event including Australian pole vaulter Steve Hooker, American sprinter Carl Lewis, and high jump icon Dick Fosbury, known as one of the most influential athletes in track and field. Fosbury invented the “flop,” the common technique in high jump.
Breakfast with Fosbury and Friends this morning, met 4 Olympic Gold Medalists ??? #SimplotGames pic.twitter.com/m3F2SPYtX7
— Victoria Tachinski (@victoriatach) February 19, 2016
According to Local 8 News in Idaho, the event brings in more than US$6 million for the local community.
Results for the meet can be found here.
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