Simplot 2011 - Day 2
The second day of the Simplot Games had no final, so the day was devoted to qualifying and staying healthy. Of course, when qualifying is the name of the game, there can be a resulting detriment to those hoping for high performances, yet Friday’s action delivered some impressive results none-the-less. Heat one for the girls proved most interesting, because it produced the top three times. Hannah McInturff of nearby Century HS in Pocatello led the way early loaded first heat but Jenna Westaway caught the 2010 Idaho 4A third place finisher midway en route to an impressive triumph in 2:15.87. McInturff ran a fine 2:19.17 for second, which brought her home a second ahead of Nicole Rietz. Cindy Huang & Nicole Bauer each ran versions of 2:22 to easily make the finals, which will have 27
Tyler Smith led the male qualifiers with a brisk 1:55.63. His time was almost three seconds better than Connor Winter, who placed 2nd in last fall’s Colorado 5A XC championships, and Daniel Keller. Sean Davis of Mountain West & Douglas Raymen of Utah ran 1:58.49 & 1:59.24 respectively. Utah’s Charles Taylor also broke the two minute barrier. The assumption is that everyone was holding their cards pretty close to the vest so the action tomorrow should be something to see.
One of the numerous nice aspects of this meet is that there is a strong contingent from Canada. One of my secret wishes is that the Foot Locker national XC championships would have a Canadian Regional but at Simplot we get more than a glimpse of what might be. Calgary runners in particular have been well represented and that city has Sage Watson leading the way in the young ladies’ 400M with her 56.28. Nyanka Joseph of the US ran 57.06 to take second. Sandra Farqhamson was third with 57.57, while Grace Brittan & Ashley Banberg placed 4th & 5th & both broke 58 seconds. The guys’ 400 should provide fireworks tomorrow, at least it is suggested by Andy Rounds time of 50.77. Still, as a fine a preliminary time as that is, Cole Lambourne was but .19 seconds behind him. Chris Sterling (51.13), Adrian Lewis ((51.51) & Pete Lauderdale (51.54) did not trail by much, yet seven guys in all broke 52 seconds. Eighteen runners from this event qualified for the finals.
One of the most anticipated races is the 60 meter dash for the girls and, if you like subplots, this race is full of them. There is never much margin for error in this event but the person to beat would appear to be Hannah Cunliffe of Decatur HS in Federal Way. Hannah led the way today with her time of 7.62 yet she topped Kylie price by only three-hundredths of a second. Mary Beth Sant was a scant equal distance behind that mark with her third. Shaniece Daphness placed 4th with 7.82 & Christine Scott came in fifth with 7.83. This is a strong field, which did not wear spikes to today, so it can be assumed that everyone is going to really up their game tomorrow. The record of 7.19 will be tough to bring down but there will be much more on the line tomorrow. To start with the American record for freshman girls is 7.49, which Cunliffe almost took down less than a month ago at the Dempsey Arena at UW. Adding to the interest is the somewhat “off” day for another freshman, Chyna Ries, of Colorado, who ran 7.86. She will add to the plot tomorrow, as she and Hannah battle in the freshman challenge of Idaho, while all the upper class runners try to defeat the duo. Stay tuned! The guys’ 60M saw Darian Brooks run 7.03 to edge Darius Smith (7.07) and Dan Summers (7.08). Both Marcus Harris & & Nicks Bowens ran 7.10 and with a host of runners just behind, tomorrow’s race is virtually anyone’s.
Christine Scott earned her second date in the finals, when she placed first among qualifiers in the 200Mwith 25.02. Sarah Cline ran 25.25 for second & Khadija Suleman placed third in 25.83. Just behind in qualifying were Ashleigh Chambers (26.06) & Megan George (26.34). Among the guys Andre Jordan (22.60) led the way. Darius Smith was six-hundredths behind in 2nd and Nick Bowens was third in 22.71. Nowlan Savage (27.76) & Shamawn Wright (22.85) was still very much in the hunt in fifth.
The field events results are not in as yet, so the hope is to update later. Certainly Ryan Crouser’s effort in the shot put will be the singular event of the meet unless something amazing happens. We look forward to what is yet to come but the first two days were beyond interesting.