Simplot Games 2020 preview

Maribyrnong Sports Academy will once again send a team of Student/Athletes to Pocatello in Idaho, America to compete in the 42nd Annual Simplot Games. It will be the 6th year a MSA team has competed at the event having sent our first team in 2015.

The teams departs Melbourne on Monday the 10th of February for a 27 hour point to point journey to Salt Lake City in Utah where they will spend 2 days acclimatising to high altitude and training at the University of Utah.

The team this year is made up of 4 male and 4 female students, and for 7 of the athletes it will be their first trip to the Simplot games and for some their first trip to America.

Coaching the team this year is Brent Vallance, coach of the 2012 London Olympics 50km walk Gold Medallist Jarryd Talent. “ This is an amazing opportunity for this group of athletes to experience life on the road as an International Athlete.  Sleeping in a different bed, eating different food and getting use to different customs is all part of competing at the highest level.  We believe that simulating this process as part of the Simplot Games experience, will serve these athletes will into the future”

Once again the MSA team is being supported by Simplot Australia and their partners who have helped the team get to the USA through their generous sponsorship.  Managing Director of Simplot Australia, Graham Dugdale says his team is proud to give these young aspiring Aussies the opportunity to perform at the largest indoor high school athletics meet in the States. “At Simplot, one of our core values is ‘passion for people’ and this is about supporting our people and communities and providing opportunities for them to achieve their best. That’s why together with the combined support of our good friends and co-sponsors Oliver Wight, Linfox and Orora Packaging we couldn’t be happier to be again sending a team of eight outstanding young athletes from Maribyrnong Sports Academy to the 42nd annual Simplot Games. We wish you all the very best and look forward to hearing about your experience and what you have learned on and off the track – good luck!”

The 2020 MSA Simplot team is:

ELIZA CONNORS – Team Captain

Eliza is a y12 student who will captain our tam in 2020. Eliza has competed at the national championships in 400m and 400m hurdles and is a state medallist in both. Eliza will compete in the 400m at the 2020 Simplot games 

FRANK MAZZA 

Frank is a y10 student who has excelled in multi events. Frank won the 2019 Victorian Multi Events Championships and in the process broke the Victorian u15 and u16 state records. In 2018 at the Australian All Schools Championships, Frank won gold in triple jump and relay, silver in javelin and bronze in long jump. Frank will have a busy competition at the Simplot games competing in the long jump, high jump, 60m and medley relay 

JAI LEVER 

Jai is a y9 student and our youngest competitor this year. Jai is a 400m specialist who won the SSV state title in 2019 and was 3rd in the Athletics Victoria state championships. Jai was a national finalist in the 400m at the Australian Championships. Jai will compete in the 400m and medley relay at the Simplot Games 

COOPER CAVALLO 

Cooper is a y10 student who excels in jumps. Cooper has won state medals in relay, triple jump, long jump, and high jump. Cooper has won a national medal in triple jump. Cooper will compete in the triple jump, long jump and medley relay at the Simplot Games 

LACHLAN ATTARD 

Lachy is a y10 distance runner. Lachlan has competed at national level on a number of occasions and has won several medals at state championships. Lachlan will compete in the 1600m at the 2020 Simplot games. 

ALIYAH CANEPA 

Aliyah is a y12 student who excels in throws. In 2019 Aliyah represented Australia in the Oceania Championships where she won a silver medal in the hammer throw. Aliyah is a 4 times Australian National Champion and multiple state champion in hammer, discus and shot pt. Aliyah will compete in the Weighted throw and shot put at the Simplot Games 

ABIGAIL THOMAS 

Abigail is a y10 student and returning for her 2nd Simplot game experience. In 2019 Abigail finished 3rd in the C final of the 1600m. Abigail has competed in steeple chase at the last 3 national championships and is a state medallist in a number of distance running events. Abigail will compete In the 800m event at the 2020 Simplot games. 

AIMEE JUNGFER 

Aimee is a y12 student who is a state representative in both Hockey and Athletics. Aimee is competed at national champs in steeple chase. Aimee has won multiple state medals in the 1500m and will compete in the 1600m at the 2020 Simplot games 

You can follow the action at simplotgames.com or follow @marbisports on twitter as we keep you up to date with the performances of our athletes.