Simplot 2017 is now in the books. And, for a Colorado delegation that struggled just a bit getting to Saturday, the Saturday results turned out rather nicely.
Perhaps most notably, Brie Oakley hit one out of the park with a winning 4:48.53 1600. That was a Colorado Simplot record for the event, only two seconds off the all-time meet record, and 13 seconds ahead of second place. Domination doesn't often get more thorough than that.
Madi Kenyon added a sixth in the 1600.
Nolan Kembel finally busted the Colorado 50-second barrier for the indoor season with a 49.51 400. That was good enough for second. You've probably heard of the guy who finished ahead of Kembel. That would be Hunter Woodhall.
Corbin Mayes missed a PR, but got over 15-9 and secured third place in the pole vault in the effort.
Arria Minor blasted yet another US #1 mark, winning the 200 in a blistering (or splintering, at the case may be on this track) time of 23.65. Minor, Maya Evans, and Audra Koopman added a 3-4-7 finish in the 60.
Minor's Denver Lightning teammate Kyairra Reigh put on a show of her own to finish third in the 400 at 55.46. Bear in mind that Reigh is an eighth grader. There was another eighth grade competitor at this meet who also took a third-place finish. Her name is Grace Ping. Perhaps you've heard of her?
There was some serious Colorado presence toward the front of the girls 800 finish. Led by Hannah Freeman in second, Marlena Preigh, Cammy Manes, and MaLeigha Menegatti went 4-5-7. Freeman's 2:12.39 tops Colorado's performances on the season.
Marcus Howard had an 8.33 for fourth in the 60 hurdles. Jaiden Paris and Semaye Johnson proved inseparable once again, this time joined by Delaney Smith, to finish 5-6-7 in the girls 60 hurdles. Times there were 8.83, 8.90, and 9.00. There were a few PRs encapsulated in this paragraph.
Both Maya Evans and Audra Koopman found the north side of 19 feet in the long jump, finishing third and fifth.
Emma Dern posted a second in the shot put at 38-4.5.
Top relay finishes for Colorado included third and a fifth by the Mountain View boys and Elevate Athletics boys in the 4x400, a second for the Angel Flight girls in the 4x200, and a first for the Ric Rojas girls (9:39.58).
Winning this year's Mr. Versatility award, Pueblo West coach Bobby Tillman finished fifth in the coaches 200 at 25.29 and 10th in the coaches 1600 at 5:02.40.