Phoenix,
We had a group of kids go down and compete at BYU this past weekend, with several PRs and a few top 6 finishes, which is pretty impressive. Tanner placed in the 400m, and Alexis did as well in the 3200m. That's not easy to do, and shows the hard work they have put in. There were many other impressive races, particularly in the 1600m on Saturday morning. I was really happy to see so many go down to compete and support. That is what makes this TEAM special, and it is something we want to continue to improve upon.
Practices this week
Monday/Wednesday/Friday will be in class, beginning at 1:15 (1:35 on Wednesday) in the main gym. Tuesday/Thursday will be after school in the commons at 2:40. Bring warm clothes and be prepared to be outside.
Upcoming meet information
This week there is a meet at Weber State, but we aren't officially going as a team. You can view the meet info here. Click "Schedule" at the top for the order of events (it's kind of small, situated right beneath the meet name). If you want to go, click register at the top of the page, and click INDIVIDUAL SIGN UP, do not create an account or it will get messy. NOTE: make sure you enter a seed time so you get placed in a heat comparable to your ability.
Next week we are planning to go down as a team the UHSTCA indoor track meet. This meet is the second biggest one of the year, second only to the Simplot Games. For this one you will register yourselves as individuals, but you should talk with your event coach about what events would be best for you. We also would like to put a bunch of relays together (including 4x400s and 4x800s, even 4x200s if we have the interest). We will pay for and enter those relays, so if you're interested in running a relay, please let me know and I'll see if we have enough people for it.
Please note that this is a two day meet, with a bunch of events on Friday night and the rest on Saturday. We hope everyone is able to make it, it is a lot of fun being there and supporting each other. Because it is a few long days, be sure to bring food, games, and warm clothes (it's an ice skating arena after all). The meet information can be found here.
The following week we will be encouraging everyone to go down to the REP Distance challenge on Friday night at the Olympic Oval. The events contested there are the 400, 800, 1600, and 3200. Once again, you'll sign yourselves up, but this is one we are hoping to have a big turn out for. The details for that meet can be found here. As with above, be sure to enter a seed time or you will be placed incorrectly.
Finally, the Simplot games are coming up, and the deadline to declare your interest is Friday night. At which point I will drop hotel rooms. Parents, if you'd like to have one or more of those rooms please let me know. I know it is early, but a drop deadline that I have to be ready for with the rooms. If you are interested in going, please fill out this form. If you are a parent who is willing to drive, please email me (and let me know if you want a room).
I have included the information about simplot below, but it is a repeat from two weeks ago, so you don't need to read it again if you've already seen it.
If you have any questions please let me know.
Coach Jacobson
The Simplot Games
The pinnacle meet of the indoor season is the Simplot Games at Idaho State University.
The Simplot Games at Idaho State University is one of best indoor track meets in North America. People from all across the country, and some international athletes, come to this meet to race against the best and set records.
The meet is 3 days, 2/16-18 beginning Thursday afternoon with the 1600m and 3200m and ending Saturday evening. Thursday is trials for those two events, Friday is the trials for field events and all other running events, and then Saturday is the final for everything. Qualifying for finals is no easy feat (Simplot marks to make Finals), so having anyone compete on Saturday is an awesome accomplishment. I believe that we can have multiple 4x800 teams make it to the final on Saturday in addition to a bunch of individual qualifiers, which would make Saturday a lot of fun.
The track at ISU is banked, which makes every running event (besides the 60m/60H, which are on the straightaway, of course) much more efficient and fun. The track is constructed inside Holt Arena, which is their indoor football stadium. It is 200m around like most indoor tracks, and all "official" indoor tracks. The throwing events, HJ, and PV are competed on the infield inside the track "oval" and the Long Jump is on the end of the arena. There are tons of athletes and spectators, which makes the experience unlike any other.
Each person is allowed 1 individual event at Simplot, and can run in up to 2 relays. Those who are "unlikely" to make a final, would probably be put into 2 relays, and those who are likely to make a final would probably only be in 1 relay.
Here's what makes Simplot so awesome: the TEAM. We hang out together in the arena and support your teammates when they are competing. The energy in the stadium is unmatched, and a team our size makes it all the more enjoyable. The beauty of an "8-lap" mile is that you get to run by your teammates 8 times for additional support.
Because this isn't a school sponsored event, we'll need to arrange our own lodging and transportation. Therefore, I'll need parent volunteers to who would be willing to drive groups of kids up, and stay to shuttle to the meet, or return on Saturday to bring kids home. I know it is a big time commitment, but it is such a good experience it's one I feel good about asking for. So, parents, if you would be willing to drive a group up or drive a group back, or both, or stay for the few days, will you send me an email letting me know? Once I know about how many kids are wanting to come I can confirm a room for you, but we should have enough rooms.
We have hotel rooms reserved at La Quinta 1440 Bench Road, Pocatello, ID. We should have room for those who want to attend, and I'm hoping we have enough rooms for parents who would like to attend and help transport kids around. In order to know how many rooms we need, athletes, will you please fill out this form if you have any interest in attending? This isn't binding, but will help me know what our needs are.
The cost to attend is likely about $200, give or take 50. This cost will cover hotels, meet entries, dinner Thursday night (Jimmy John's Boxed lunch like we did at nxr). Any left over would go to gas money for those driving kids around.
