Day 1

Once again in 2002, the J.R. Simplot Company is proud to sponsor the Simplot Games at the Idaho State University Holt Arena in Pocatello. It marks the twenty-fourth consecutive year for the Simplot Games -- the nation's premier high school indoor track and field event.

Some over-the-counter medications contain banned substances. Information regading drugs and drug testing may be obtained by calling the USOC Hot Line at 1-800-233-0393.

USAT&F Membership: For a varity of reasons, including insurance considerations, all entrants must have a valid 2002 USAT&F Card. If you do not have a 2002 USAT&F Card, you may purchase one (valid until December 31, 2002) through your local USAT&F Associtaion Office or by completing the application included in the entry packet. You can contact your local association through the USAT&F Home Page(www.usatf.org). If you are from a state that sanctions indoor high school track, and your school is sponsoring you as an athlete, you will not be required to purchase a USAT&F card..

As was the case last year, the Simplot Games are sanctioned by USA Track & Field and that organization's rules governing track meets will apply. Athletes who participate in this competition may be subject to formal drug testing in accordance with USA Track & Field Regulation 10 and IAAF Rule 55. Athletes found positive for banned substances, or who refuse to be tested, will be disqualified from this event and will lose eligibility for future competitions.

Entry forms and general information about the Simplot Games can be requested. We look forward to seeing you in Pocatello, February 15th, 16th & 17th.

Jennifer's Travel, the official travel agency of the Simplot Games, has negotiated a special airfare discount with most of the major airlines. They will give a 10% discount if travel is booked and ticketed 60 days prior to the event, and a 5% discount 59 days or less prior to the event. Please be aware that the only acceptable forms of payment are credit card, certified check, or money order, with credit card being the preferred method. For more information and reservations, call 1-800-713-0174. Emilee Evans and Jodi McHugh will be the main contacts and can also be reached by e-mail at [email protected] or [email protected]. Remember�the Winter Olympics will be taking place in Salt Lake City during February. We suggest that you reserve your space early and that you consider connecting through Boise, ID as an option to connecting through Salt Lake. We would also call your attention to the fact that Pocatello is served by a commuter airline; therefore, it is sometimes cheaper to fly into Salt Lake City or Boise and rent a car or van. Pole-vaulters should be aware that not all of the planes that fly into Pocatello can accommodate poles.

In an effort to help as many athletes as possible, we have chartered a few buses to shuttle between SLC and Pocatello. The cost will be $40.00 round trip and will be available on a first-request basis. To take of advantage of this service, you would have to arrange your schedule to arrive in SLC before noon on Thursday and depart SLC no earlier than noon on Sunday. Call Carol Lish, 1-208-235-5604 to reserve space.

Introduction of dignitaries and a Grand March by athletes and coaches will be held at 11:30 A.M. on Saturday. Bring your team banners and flags.

Any high school age athlete who is a full-time student in the 9th - 12th grade. Exceptions are made for athletes in the 7th or 8th grade who is (or would be, in the case of a club athlete) eligible for their High School track team. Participants may enter as members of high school track clubs or as unattached high school competitors depending upon their state activity association eligibility rules. Team members should wear identical uniforms for purposes of identification and uniformity, and must wear their team uniforms while participating. Wearing of Simplot Games T-shirts will not be permitted during competition.

Each team may enter as many athletes per event as they wish. However, an individual may not enter more than one running event, two field events and two relays. If an athlete is incorrectly entered in too many events, the computer will randomly delete events to meet the entry requirements.

Any questions should be referred to Greg Burch or Carol Lish at (208) 235-5604 between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Do not call the ISU Athletic office, as the staff will not be able to assist you.

Any athlete declared to compete must honestly participate in each round (trial, final) of each track event for which the athlete is declared OR THE ATHLETE WILL BE BARRED FROM FURTHER COMPETITION IN THE MEET.

All scratches must be made by the Friday morning coaches meeting. If you are unable to attend the 8:00 a.m. meeting, you can call in your scratches. Any athlete not scratched after the Friday morning meeting will be considered declared for the event.

Please note the deadline date requires a postmark on the entry envelope no later than JANUARY 25, 2002. Entry fees must be included with the entry. Entries with a late postmark will be assessed an additional $30 handling fee.

Entry fees per individual are $5.00 per event plus a $10.00 base fee. The entry fee, made payable to Simplot Games, must be sent in with your entry form. NO REFUNDS WILL BE MADE AFTER FEBRUARY FEBRUARY 2, 2001.

Medley Relay:
The distances for the medley relay legs are 400m, 200m, 200m, 800m.

4 X 800 Relay:
This is an invitational event. To have a team qualify for this event they must meet the following standards. (NO EXCEPTIONS!!!)

Relay Teams:
The relay team must wear their official matching uniforms. Simplot Games T-shirts will not be permitted during competition.

Qualifying competitions will be held in the shot put, triple jump, long jump, Boys' pole vault and high jump on Friday. In these events, each athlete will be allowed three attempts to reach the qualifying mark. Once the mark is made, the athlete will then advance to the preliminaries/finals on Saturday. Qualifying marks for boys and girls respectively are: triple jump - 41', 32'; long jump - 20', 16'; shot put - 45', 35'; and Pole Vault - 13'3", 9'0"; High jump 6'1" and 4'11". Will NOT measure weight throws less than 25'(girls) and 35'(boys).

A brief coaches' meeting will be held at 8:00 a.m., Friday, in Section K on the north side of the ISU Holt Arena. All teams must have a representative in attendance, since important last-minute announcements will be made at this time. (See Scratches)

Information packets, scratch forms, numbers, etc. will be available from 5:30 to 9:00 P.M. on Thursday evening on the south side of the Holt Arena and also from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. on Friday morning before the meet.

Awards will be presented to contestants finishing in the top six places in the individual events, and to individual members of the first six teams in each relay. Coaches will receive awards in their events for three classes: women, men under age 40, and men age 40 and over. Medals will also be given to student athletes qualifying for finals. Simplot Games T-shirts are given to every contestant who participates in the meet.

Any student athlete that breaks an existing meet record in the 2001 Simplot Games will receive a special sport bag courtesy of adidas.

Male athletes will dress and shower in locker rooms on the southeast side of the Holt Arena. Female athletes will use the northwest locker rooms near the training room in the Holt Arena. Towels will not be provided, please supply your own. Each team is responsible for providing its own locks to protect possessions.

SPIKED SHOES will not be allowed in the preliminary races on Thursday & Friday. Spiked shoes are allowed for Saturday�s Finals. Only 3/16" needle spikes will be allowed. 1/4" spikes are allowed for both prelims and finals in the jumping events.

Trainers will be available on the turf during the competition and in the training room on the south side of the Holt Arena.

Simplot Games posters, programs, pins, T-shirts and sweat shirts, mugs and bags, etc. will be available for purchase in the south lobby of the Holt Arena on Friday and Saturday.

A photographer will be taking pictures of all award presentations. Ordering instructions will be given to each athlete at that time. Spectator photography areas will be marked.