Top Idaho high school athletes set to compete at Simplot Games

Pocatello, Idaho – Several of Idaho’s top high school athletes are ready to compete at Simplot Games, the nation’s premier high school track and field event, in Pocatello, Idaho, February 14-16. Simplot Games brings together some of the top high school athletes in the country for a weekend of intense competition and fun.

This year’s top athletes representing Idaho include;

§ Bethany McInturff (senior, Pocatello) is a two-time Idaho state cross country champion, and the 2006 800-meter and 1600-meter state champ.

§ Camille Marchand (senior, Pocatello) is the Idaho state champion in the 100 and 200 meters.

§ Nicole Nielsen (junior, Boise) is the 2007 state 5A champion in the 1600 and 3200. Nicole will run the 3200 meters, where her personal best is 11:01.4. In the 2007 Simplot Games, these times would have placed her among the top of the competition.

§ Chelsea Barr (senior, Nampa) is the 2007 state 3A pole vault champion with a personal best of 12’ 2”.

§ Kasin Covington (sophomore, Boise) was runner-up in the triple jump (47’2”) as a freshman last year, and has a personal best long jump 21’ 3”.

§ Sam Neilsen (junior, Boise) was the 5A state champion triple jump with a leap of 37’0-3/4” as a sophomore. Sam will triple and long jump at this year’s Games.

§ Zach Hevner (senior) is the 2006 and 2007 Oregon state 3A champion in the 200 and 400; he makes a 60-mile commute twice a week to train with YMCA Team Idaho in Nampa.

§ Keith Bowens (junior, Meridian) is one of the top returning sprinters in 2008, with a 60-meter time of 7.08 indoors this year.

§ Kaycee Brunel (junior, Nampa) was the 2007 state champion in the high jump and 100-meter hurdles.

§ Curtis Ferrin (senior, Rexburg) was the 2006 200-meter state champion Placed in the top 12 in the 60 meter dash at the 2007 Simplot Games.

§ Diana Blauer (senior, Burley) placed third in the high jump at last year’s Games with a jump of 5’4”.

Simplot Games is the nation’s premier high school track and field event. More information is available at www.simplotgames.com.

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