Clinger, Rainsberger headline 38th Simplot Games

By Erik Boal, DyeStatCAL Editor

WATCH LIVE HERE THURSDAY THROUGH SATURDAY

Showcase of NXN champions

Both Casey Clinger of American Fork (Utah) and Katie Rainsberger of Air Academy (Colorado) are scheduled to attend this year’s meet, with the Nike Cross Nationals individual champions making their first out-of-state trips during the winter indoor season.

Clinger is entered in the 3,200, along with Foot Locker All-American Garek Bielaczyc of Salt Lake City East, with the showdown one of the expected marquee matchups in Saturday’s finals. Bielaczyc ran U.S. No. 2 9:00.07 in a solo effort at the New Balance Boise Indoor in Nampa, Idaho, so both he and Clinger have their sights set on the fastest 3,200 time so far this year of 8:54.22 run by Aidan Tooker of Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

Rainsberger is expected to run the 800 and could face challenges in Saturday’s championship heat against Canadian star Ginelle DeMone of Leduc Composite in Alberta, along with California state outdoor runner-up Rylee Penn of Corona Centennial.

Speed Thrills: The Encore

California sprint stars Zaria Francis of Rio Mesa and Lauren Rain Williams of Oaks Christian ran to a split decision at the New Balance Boise Indoor, with Francis running U.S. No. 2 7.40 in the 60-meter dash and Williams clocking a nation-leading 23.47 in the 200.

The two Golden state talents are entered in both events again, looking to add another impressive chapter to their rivalry in preparation for New Balance Indoor Nationals. Williams won the 60 last year, but didn’t race the 200 at Simplot and Francis didn’t attend the meet.

Jumping in rarefied air

Although the elevation in Pocatello is nearly 4,500 feet, the presence of some of the nation’s elite jumpers could push this year’s meet to new heights.

World Youth outdoor long jump gold medalist Tara Davis and high jump bronze medalist Darius Carbin are joined by Pan-Am Junior long jump gold medalist Samiyah Samuels and triple jump bronze medalist Chinne Okoronkwo and U.S. No. 3 long jumper Harrison Schrage.

California will be represented by Davis from Agoura High in the long jump, triple jump and 60-meter hurdles, with Carbin of Mt. Pleasant entered in the high jump, triple jump and 60 hurdles.

Okoronkwo, from Mountlake Terrace (Washington), is entered in the long jump and triple jump, with Samuels of Houston Cypress Springs (Texas) scheduled to participate in the long jump. Oregon star Schrage from Grant High competing in the long jump and 60-meter dash.

International impact

One of the unique qualities of Simplot Games is the participation of international athletes, especially Australia and Canada.

Victoria Tachinski of Vincent Massey Collegiate in Winnipeg returns as the 400-meter champion, leading a talented Canadian contingent that also includes reigning boys 1,600 champ Ryan Smeeton of Henry WiseWood in Calgary.

Maribyrnong College from Victoria, Australia, will be represented by eight athletes, led by Celeste Mucci, who tied for second in the high jump last year. Amelia Mazza-Downie, who won the 3,200 last season, didn’t return for this year’s meet.

More defending champions

In addition to Carbin, Davis, Okoronkwo, Smeeton and Tachinski, California star Joseph Anderson of Upland returns to defend his 60-meter hurdles title.

Davis and Okoronkwo split the long jump and triple jump last year and are scheduled to square off again in both events this weekend.

Anderson and Carbin could meet in the 60-meter hurdles final, along with Carter Bracken of Lake Oswego (Oregon).

Hometown heroes

Following his U.S. No. 2 1:52.74 in the 800 at New Balance Boise Indoor, Rocky Mountain standout Michael Slagowski leads a strong group of Idaho athletes in his home state.

Slagowski is entered in the 1,600, along with Smeeton and Utah stars Dallin Leatham from Viewmont and Talon Hull of Weber.

Slagowski leads YMCA Team Idaho, which will also play a significant factor in the relays.

Head of the class

Another YMCA Team Idaho star and the youngest competitor in the meet is Lake Hazel Middle School eighth-grade talent Lexy Halladay, who won the 800 and 1 mile at the New Balance Boise Indoor.

Halladay is only entered in the 1,600 and could face challenges from athletes representing Australia and Canada, as well as Utah, Montana, Wyoming and California.

All-around talent

Tierra Crockrell, who starred as a youth track athlete in Washington before moving to California, is a freshman at Calabasas High and is coming off a victory in the pentathlon with 3,422 points at the Winter Outdoor Championships.

Crockrell is entered in the 60 and 200 races, along with the triple jump, looking to elevate her performances to the top of the country’s ninth-grade rankings.

Throwing their names out there

With all four throws champions from last year’s meet having graduated or not returning, there will be an opportunity for rising talents to contend for gold.

Maddie Rabing of Lakeridge (Oregon) and Maia Garren of Logan (Utah) could battle in the girls weight throw, with Sierra Freeland of Riverton (Utah) competing against both of them in the girls shot put.

Relaying the message

With ISC International from California not attending this year’s meet, the girls relays will crown some new champions.

New Image Track Club returns to defend its boys 4 x 200 and 4 x 400 titles, following victories in the 4 x 200 and 800 sprint medley at the California Winter Outdoor Championships.

Fort Collins (Colorado) looks to reign again in the girls 4 x 200 relay.

Davis Track Club (Utah) and YMCA Team Idaho will likely battle in both 4 x 800 and 1,600 sprint medley relays.