Kynzie Nielson looking to add to her legacy at Firth

POCATELLO – Kynzie Nielson is already one of the most decorated runners in Firth High history, but she plans to add more to her story as her senior season unfolds.

That includes lowering her personal best marks before heading off to college at Weber State.

Nielson won the 800 and the 3,200 at this weekend’s DirectCom Invitational at Idaho State University and was leading one of the tightest races of the meet in the 1,600 before Snake River’s Paetyn Polatis won the sprint over the last 50 meters to edge Nielson 5:24.05 to 5:24.57.

Overall, not a bad meet for Nielson, who’s lowered her PR in the 800 from 2:21.48 to 2:18.61 this year and is closing in on records for the 1,600 and 3,200.

“I really have some big goals,” Nielson said, noting the big three marks are 2:16 in the 800, 5:15 in the 1,600, and 11:30 in the 3,200.

Those are indeed big goals, but Nielson said she’s confident in her training and her progress in her final high school season.

She won four medals at last year’s state meet, placing fifth in the 800, second in the 1,600, second in the 3,200 and earned third with the 4×400 relay team.

Along with the goal of multiple personal records, comes the chance to stand atop the podium at the state championships.

That opportunity is still a ways off, but Nielson currently has the best 3A times in the state in the 800 (2:18.61), 1,600 (5:23.97) and the 3,200 (11:45.48). The Firth 4×400 relay team of Baylie Mecham, Allie Nielson, Baylee Johnson and Kynzie Nielson also has the top 3A time in the state so far at 4:09.62, which was set at this weekend’s meet.

Highlights from the DirectCom Invitational meet

Jose Torres of American Falls won the 100 in 10.88 with Snake River’s Johnny Walker right behind in 11.04.

It was the same story in the 200 as Torres clocked 22.25 with Walker second in 22.68.

Walker however won the long jump by more than a foot with a leap of 22-4. He also placed third in the triple jump.

One of the best matchups was in the boys distance races, where North Fremont state champion Corbin Johnston topped Teton cross country state champion Zane Lindquist in the 1,600.

Johnston also won the 3,200 in 9:45.40, while Teton’s Lindquist won the 800.

Hillcrest’s Garrett Cook won the 110 hurdles and held off Degan Stoor of Soda Springs in the 300 hurdles with a time of 39.67 to Stoor’s 39.69.

Gavin Schiffmann of Pocatello set a personal record of 57-11.50 to win the shot put and Malad’s Gabe Hooste hit a PR of 152-11 to win the javelin.

There were more PRs in the field events as Bradley Brown of Teton cleared 6-4 to win the high jump and Kelton Ricks of South Fremont topped 12-6 to win the pole vault.

In the girls races, Baylee Johnson of Firth won the 100 in 12.60 and came back to win the 200 in 26.06, holding off Pocatello sophomore Ary Gonzalez. Johnson’s 100 and 200 times are second on the 3A state performance list

Paetyn Polatis of Snake River and Hailee Pool of Pocatello each broke one minute in the 400, with Polatis finishing in 59.75 and Pool at 59.80.

Polatis also finished strong to win the 1,600.

In the hurdles, Marsh Valley’s Lydia Townsend won the 100 in a state-best time of 14.87, but it was Polatis again with a personal-best of 46.63 to hold off Townsend 46.63 to 46.66 in the 300s.

Butte County’s Cambree Lyon continued the trend of field event personal records with a toss of 36-10 to win the shot put.

Hillcrest junior Alexa Weatherly had a strong showing in the javelin with a throw of 110-10.

Lilly Stebbins of Challis cleared 5-6 to win the high jump and American Falls’ Leila Jackson won the triple jump at 34-8.