Simplot, which heralds itself as the nation’s premier high school showcase for indoor track and field, has invited the duo back as this year’s Olympic and Paralympic athletes of honor, the event announced.

Held yearly at Idaho State University, Simplot was where Hunter, a standout at Syracuse High, first met Tara, from Texas. Tara still owns the Simplot record for girls long jump. The two married in 2022 after continuing their relationship while Hunter ran for the University of Arkansas and Tara jumped for Texas.

Tara has since gone on to a two-year undefeated run where she won gold at the 2024 Olympics and also won the long jump at the 2024 World Indoors and the 2025 World Championships.

Hunter, a bilateral amputee, is a multi-time Paralympian who finally climbed to the top of the podium in Paris in 2024. He’s won one silver and three bronze medals, and won gold in the 400 meters in France.

The Simplot Games attracts top high school athletes from across the country but is also an open meet, where athletes do not need a qualifying time or distance to compete. This year’s event is scheduled for Feb. 19-21. Admission is free for spectators.

Utah State basketball enters rankings

Utah State men’s basketball, now 14-1 this season, entered the Associated Press Top 25 for the first time this season with this week’s new poll. The Aggies, ranked No. 23, have now been ranked for the third straight season for the first time in program history.

USU is on a seven-game winning streak and recently blasted Boise State 93-68 on the road. Utah State is rated No. 13 in the NCAA NET and No. 20 by Ken Pomeroy’s formula.

BYU fell two spots to No. 11 in this week’s poll after a narrow victory at Utah. The Cougars are 15-1 with a loss to No. 3 UConn. BYU is No. 9 in NCAA NET and No. 11 in Ken Pomeroy.

Richie Saunders was named the Big 12 Conference’s player of the week. The BYU senior guard totaled 31 points, eight rebounds and three assists in a home win over Arizona State before racking up 24 points and 14 rebounds in the win at Utah.

Pro softball coming to Salt Lake City

The Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) is retooling for 2026 and will place a team in Salt Lake City as part of its new, six-team format.

The Utah Talons will play at the University of Utah’s Dumke Family Stadium in a season that begins June 9. The team will have softball legend Lisa Fernandez as general manager, Howard Dobson as head coach, and has former Utah player Hannah Flippen, the program’s all-time batting average leader, on its roster.

“Salt Lake City has emerged as a dynamic sports market with a strong youth softball foundation and a growing appetite for women’s professional sports,” said Kim Ng, AUSL commissioner, in a statement. “The University of Utah provides an exceptional setting for the Talons as we continue expanding the league’s footprint in the Mountain West.”

The league premiered in 2025 as a four-team traveling outfit, visiting 12 cities, including SLC, with its games. Now anchoring teams in six cities, Utah will be joined by the Carolina Blaze, Chicago Bandits, Oklahoma City Spark, Portland Cascade, and the Texas Volts.