Shelley teen among Simplot Games winners - East Idaho News
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Shelley teen among Simplot Games winners

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The following is a news release and photo from Simplot Games.

POCATELLO — As the 2018 Simplot Games draw to a close, Idaho athletes will return home with medals in multiple events.

· Ty Wright, a junior from Shelley, won the boys’ high jump and broke his personal record with his jump of 6’9”.
· Taylen Langin, a senior from Meridian, placed second in the girls’ pole vault with a mark of 12’03”.
· Tori Sloan, a senior from Boise, placed second in the girls’ long jump with a mark of 18’07”.
· Tyler Trengrove, a junior from Post Falls, placed second in the boys’ high jump with a mark of 6’07”.
· Seth Nims, a senior from Boise, placed third in the boys’ pole vault with a mark of 15’03”.

Wright was excited about his new personal record.

After reaching his winning mark, he decided to attempt clearing 7 feet, a goal he has always had in the back of his mind. After a final close attempt, clearing 7 feet is now his goal for the outdoor season.

Wright has competed in Simplot Games since he was a freshman and has enjoyed this opportunity.

“It doesn’t feel like a national competition because it’s only 40 minutes away, but I love the pressure of it,” Wright said. “It’s my favorite meet to go to by far.”

Along with the pressure, Wright said he loves having the Olympians around to watch the competition.

Among the Olympians present who have taken notice of Wright is legendary high jumper Dick Fosbury. In the past, Wright has had the opportunity to work with Fosbury at the Simplot Games Track Camp presented by Dick Fosbury.

“It’s crazy to describe,” Wright said of working with Fosbury. “I idolize him so much because he is an Olympian, so everything he says, I take it and absorb it right up and then try to apply it to every competition.”

Wright started track and field in the seventh grade when his sisters introduced him to the sport. Starting out, he tried every event, but finally settled on the high jump because he found it fun.

When he competes, Wright says he likes to take a calm approach, trying to stay focused but not obsess over the event.

“I kind of like to visualize beforehand, but if I take too long, it stresses me out,” Wright said.

Wright hopes to clear 7 feet in the upcoming outdoor season and eventually compete in college. He also hopes to one day go to the Olympics.

“My dream has always been to go to the Olympics, so in every sport I do, I try to do my best.”

More than 2,200 athletes came from across the U.S., Canada, Australia and New Zealand to participate in the 40th 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 are held at Idaho State University’s Holt Arena in Pocatello, Idaho.

Here is a full list of Idaho finalists:

Boys’ 60-Meter Dash

5, Khalil Forehand, 12, Boise
6, Magnus Hemingway, 10, Boise

Boys’ 60-Meter Hurdles

3, Skyler Galgan, 12, Boise

Boys’ 1600 Sprint Medley

2, Team Idaho, ‘A,’ Boise

Girls’ 4×200-Meter Relay

5, Idaho Dash Track Club ‘A,’ Boise

Boys’ 4×200-Meter Relay

· 4, Idaho Dash Track Club ‘A,’ Boise

All Idaho Boys 4×200-Meter Relay

1, Team Idaho ‘A,’ Boise
2, Tiger Track ‘A,’ Aberdeen
3, Grizz Track Club ‘A,’ Idaho Falls
4, Hawks Running ‘A,’ Boise
5, Indian Track Club ‘A,’ Pocatello
6, Ram Track Club ‘A,’ Pocatello

All Idaho Girls 4×200-Meter Relay

1, Team Idaho ‘A,’ Boise
2, Idaho Dash Track Club ‘C,’ Boise
3, Idaho Dash Track Club ‘B,’ Boise
4, Indian Track Club ‘A,’ Pocatello
5, Donnelley Sports ‘A,’ Twin Falls
6, Pirates TC ‘A,’ Dayton

Boys’ Pole Vault

3, Seth Nims, 12, Boise

Girls’ Pole Vault

2, Taylen Langin, 12, Meridian

Girls’ Long Jump

2, Tori Sloan, 12, Boise

Boys’ High Jump

1, Ty Wright, 11, Shelley
2, Tyler Trengove, 11, Post Falls
· 4, Anthony Garcia, 12, Twin Falls

Boys’ Triple Jump

5, Kobee Gunter, 12, Pocatello

Boys’ Shot Put

· 4, Daniel Helsley, 12, Idaho Falls
· 6, Josh Mertz, 12, Boise

Girls’ Shot Put

3, Emily Hernandez, 12, Rathdrum

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