Already The Meet Record Holder, Utah Standout Eyes Sub-10 3,200 Meters In Pocatello

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

Photo by Donal Pearce

Jane Hedgengren remembers well the crowd noise and the positity flowing out of the grandstands at the ICCU Dome last year at the conclusion of the Simplot Games. 

Hedengren came close to breaking the 10-minute barrier in the 3,200 meters on the orange and black boards and broke the meet record by four seconds with 10:02.42. 

Breaking 10 became a target in 2020 when Sydney Thorvaldson broke the record twice in three days, with 10:11.43 in the prelim followed by 10:06.58 in a heart-pounding final at Pocatello's 4,460-foot elevation. 

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Much like the Wyoming native now running for Arkansas, Hedengren is used to life and running at altitude and wants to test her own boundaries. 

"I'm hoping to not only break 10 (minutes) but to comfortably under," Hedengren said. 

Who would doubt her? After destroying the course record at Nike Cross Nationals in adverse weather conditions and running a 4:36.23 mile at the Olympic Oval in Kearns, Utan (4,619 feet) on Feb. 7, Hedengren will have the crowd's attention again come Saturday. 

"I really hope (the energy) is similar to last year," Hedengren said. "It's a huge reason why I'm coming back. The crowd is electric and last year was incredible. I couldn't hear the last two laps. It was was the loudest race I've ever been in."

In part because of the heavy participation numbers from Utah, the distance races at Simplot have gotten very competitive. 

Maya Bybee from Lone Peak UT, Paisley Taylor of Meridian ID and Kayley Torrie from Canada are entered in the 1,600 meters with seed times under five minutes. 

On the boys side, the best of Utah distance powers American Fork and Herriman will go head to head. Kaden Evans of AF has run 4:14.66 for 1,600 meters at altitude this winter and will try to follow in th footsteps of former teammate Daniel Simmons, who won last year's 3,200 meters in the incredible meet record time of 8:48.08. 

Charlie Vause of Rio Rancho NM, who was named Gatorade boys cross country athlete of the year on Tuesday, is also in the 3,200 meters, along with Jase Burton of Star Valley WY and Kyle Steadman of Mountain View UT. 

Nate Stadtlander of Meridian ID and AF's Ryker Bement are the top entries in the boys 1,600. 

Wilson (Long Beach) CA will send a group that is likely to dominate the sprints, particularly the relays. Sophomore Kaedyn Burroughs was a California state finalist in the 400 meters last year and is the top entry in the 400 meters. 

Seniors Alene Washington, Loren Webster and Kaylin Edwards lead the Wilson girls. Webster is the top entry in the long jump. 

Nova Kienast of Germany, the World U18 record holder in the hammer now training and going to school in British Columbia, is the top entry in the weight throw by more than 15 feet. 

Cheyenne Central WY's Tegan Krause is the top entry in the 200 meters and Ryan Dierenfield from Billings Skyview tops the list in the 60 dash. 

Torrington WY standout Brooklyn Asmus is the top entry in the girls dash and will face Christine Huckins of Capital ID in a compelling matchup of state champions. They'll also meet in the 200. 

Alexandra Watson from Canada is the top entry in the girls 400 meters with a time of 55.91 seconds. 

Two more Canadians, Maya Markowska and Mary MacLean, are in the 800 meters with bests of 2:08. 

Sadie Stewart from Sky View UT tops the list of girls high jumpers with a best of 5-9. 

Landon Walker from Casper, Wyo. (Kelly Walsh) is the top entry in the boys long jump and triple jump. 

Alex Rushton from nearby Burley ID has cleared 6-10 so far this indoor season in the high jump.