Knoxville’s Jacqelyn Coward sets national record at Simplot Games

High school senior breaks her own 60-meter hurdle record

Pocatello, Idaho- Knoxville’s Jacquelyn Coward ran the 60-meter hurdles in 8.16 seconds, breaking the national high school mark by .01 of a second. Coward set the record of 8.17 seconds exactly one year ago.

“I knew if I executed my race I would run fast,” she said. “If I’m patient, I know the times will come. I run every race like it’s my last one.”

Coward a senior also credited the strong field for her record-setting time. Vashti Thomas a senior of San Jose, Calif., pushed Coward to the line and finished second by less than a tenth of a second.

“Oh yeah, I knew she was there,” Coward said of Thomas. “She had a great start and pushed me to the end.”

Coward traveled to Idaho alone, as one of her coaches was out of the country, and a second coach’s flight was turned away by weather.

“My coach told me it was time for me to stand on my own,” Coward said. “And I did.”

More than 2,000 athletes came from across the U.S. and Canada to participate in the 30^th 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 were held February 14-16; at Idaho State University’s Holt Arena is Pocatello, Idaho.

For more information on Simplot Games, please visit our website at www.simplotgames.com. You may also contact Carol Lish at (208) 235-5604 or the media team at Simplot_Games@yahoo.com.

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Simplot Games

The Nation's Premiere High School Track & Field Event

Pocatello, Idaho

(208) 235-5604