Saturday is the big day of Simplot and several Colorado athletes remain alive for Saturday's finals.
One thing is rapidly becoming apparent--I'm going to become familiar with a few heretofore unfamiliar names this spring. Some new-to-the-spotlight athletes are making a name for themselves at Simplot.
Here's a quick summary of the Colorado individual entries advancing to finals at the Simplot Games. This time the girls go first:
60 Meters - Several Colorado girls are advancing here. In fact, this may be the most Colorado-dominated event of all. Advancing to finals are Marybeth Sant, Vanessa Gillespie, Christine Scott, Chyna Ries, and Zainab Sanni.
60 Hurdles - Dior Hall, Kami Mendez, Annie Kunz, and Takara Reed advance to finals.
Triple Jump - Three Colorado entries go to finals: Mackenzie Comstock, Abby Pahlau, and Danielle Williams
400 Meters - Prelims are always highly tactical in this event, so it's hard to read much out of the preliminary round marks. Nevetheless, Sam Berggren, Grace Brittan, Brittany Lewis, Chelsie Horton, and Emily Elliott all advance to finals.
Pole Vault - Valentina Pauna to finals
200 Meters - Christine Scott takes the top seed to finals and is joined by Mckael Grayson
High Jump - Annie Kunz and Brittany Lewis both make finals in a second event.
Long Jump - Brittany Lewis in a third event. She will be busy on Saturday.
1600 - Kelley Robinson, Ashley Rietman, Lauren Lipski, Lauren Shomaker, and Rebecca Hermann (note that 36 advance to finals in the 1600)
... and among the boys...
60 Meters - Dan Summers, Marcus Harris, and Josh Kamrass each have secured a place in finals.
60 Hurdles - Devonte Hamilton, Devin Bell, Alex Jordan, and Jace Horak make the cut.
Triple Jump - Trey Richardson, Tony Carodine, Scott Carter, and Michael Seaman give Colorado a very strong presence in finals.
400 Meters - Chris Sterling and Michael Arterburn are the only Colorado entries to make finals.
Pole Vault - Josh Holland to finals.
200 Meters - Nowlan Savage, Marcus Harris, Pedro Borunda, and Glen Taylor are Colorado's one-lappers in finals.
800 Meters - Only Jimmy Sablan will join Connor Winter in the finals.
Shot Put - Jake Schneeberger gets to share the final round stage with Ryan Crouser, among others.
1600 - Josiah Valenzuela, Jackson Friesth, and Connor Timms joint the 36-man final. Correction 2/20: Duke Rauh also made the final.
Please let me know if I've missed any. Such is certainly not my intent, but my eye is far from perfect. Thanks!
