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Indiana Invaders Feb 2004 Media Releases

Published by
Coach Harger   Mar 1st 2004, 9:40pm
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INVADERS' ADAM SHUNK TAKES SECOND AT USA INDOOR NATIONALS


February 29, 2004
(INDIANAPOLIS) The Indiana Invaders completed the third and final day of the 2004 USATF Indoor National Championships with Adam Shunk tieing for second in the high jump (2.20).

Shunk in leading the Invaders' charge was followed by Jamey Sperle taking sixth in the 200 (22.06), Carri Long in seventh in the high jump (1.84), Francesca Green took eighth in the long jump (6.15), and Shannon Gallagher in 11th in the pole vault (4.20).

Team Director Greg Harger said, "Everyone did a great job competively this weekend. The preparation and training for the indoor season will show itself as we head toward the Olympic Trials in July." Harger added, "Shunk did an outstanding job today."

TOP 10 PERFORMERS
2nd - HJ (2.20) Adam Shunk
6th - 200 (22.06) Jamey Sperle
6th - 800 (2:06.03) Hope Sanders
7th - HJ (1.84) Carri Long
8th - LJ (6.15) Francesca Green

The USA Indoor Track & Field Championships are the world's oldest indoor track championships, with the first meet being held in 1888 in New York.

Next weekend, the USA Indoor Combined Events Championships in Chapel Hill, North Carolina will feature Invaders' Linise Gordon competing in the Pentathlon.

2004 USA Indoor Track & Field Championships:
http://www.usatf.org/events/2004/USAIndoorTFChampionships/


INVADERS' SANDERS TAKES SIXTH AT USA INDOOR NATIONALS


February 28, 2004
(INDIANAPOLIS) The Indiana Invaders wrapped up day two of the 2004 USATF Indoor National Championships with Hope Sanders finishing sixth in the finals of the 800 (2:06.03) and Brandon Hon finishing 11th in the semi-finals of the 60 hurdles (7.72).

Sanders ran her third fastest career best in the 800, and a career indoor best, in the qualifying round on Friday. Today's 2:06.03 championship effort was her fifth fastest time ever in the 800. Sanders sixth place finish is the third time she has finished in sixth place since 1999.

Hon's 7.72 in the 60 hurdles is his second fastest career best time ever. Hon, running in the fastest section of the semi-finals, also finished the day tied for the eighth fastest time in the semi-finals.

Team Director Greg Harger said, "Both Sanders and Hon turned in some virtual career best efforts. They have room for significant improvements and some very fast times as we head toward the US Olympic Trials in July."

On Sunday February 29th, the Invaders' will have six athletes competing with Adam Shunk & Carri Long (HJ), Francesca Green (LJ), Shannon Gallagher & Ebbie Metzinger (PV), and Jamey Sperle (200).

The top two finishers in the finals will compete at the 2004 IAAF World Indoor Championships in Athletics March 5-7 in Budapest, Hungary as part of Team USA.

2003 USA Indoor Track & Field Championships:
http://www.usatf.org/events/2003/USAIndoorTFChampionships/


INDIANA INVADERS' SANDERS, HON ADVANCE AT USA INDOORS


February 27, 2004
(INDIANAPOLIS) Indiana Invaders' Hope Sanders and Brandon Hon advanced on day one of 2004 USATF Indoor National Championships with Sanders advancing to the finals of the 800 and Hon advancing to the semi-finals of the 60 hurdles.

Sanders, ranked 12th going into the championship, tied for the third fastest qualifying time of the day (2:05.29). Hon advances to the semi-finals of the 60 meter hurdles with his time of 7.80. Both will return to championship action tommorrow.

Jacob Koczman, ranked 17th going into the championship, finished the day in 14th; however, Koczman's time of 1:50.77 did not advance him through to the finals. Koczman along with Sanders and Hon are three of the ten Indiana Invaders currently qualified for the 2004 US Olympic Team Trials.

Team Director Greg Harger said, "Sanders and Hon, for different reasons had a very good showing today getting through to the next level of competition. It was good to get the rust off as both will compete better and do better in the finals. They are ready to go."

On Sunday February 29th, the Invaders' will have six athletes competing with Adam Shunk & Carri Long (HJ), Francesca Green (LJ), Shannon Gallagher & Ebbie Metzinger (PV), and Jamey Sperle (200).

The top two finishers in the finals will compete at the 2004 IAAF World Indoor Championships in Athletics March 5-7 in Budapest, Hungary as part of Team USA.

2003 USA Indoor Track & Field Championships:
http://www.usatf.org/events/2003/USAIndoorTFChampionships/


NINE INVADERS TO COMPETE AT USA INDOOR NATIONALS


February 26, 2004
(INDIANAPOLIS) The Indiana Invaders have twelve athletes qualified for the 2004 USA Track & Field Indoor National Championships. The competition runs from February 27th through February 29th at the Reggie Lewis Track & Athletic Center in Boston, MA.

This is the sixth competitive indoor season for the Invaders since the initial formation of their athlete roster in the fall of 1998. Since 1999 in addition to one World Indoor Champion, the Invaders have won one indoor title, had three runner-up finishes, placed 11 in the top five, and had 32 finish in the top 10.

===================================================
'04 '03 '02 '01 '00 '99 Total(s)
===================================================
Qualified: 12 12 4 12 7 5 52
Top 10: 6 4 10 7 5 32*
Top 5: 1 2 4 2 2 11*
2nd: - - - 2 1 3*
1st: - - 1 - - 1*
===================================================
*pending '04 results

Nine Invaders will compete this weekend. Adam Shunk, already a 2004 US Olympic Trials Qualifier, will lead the charge as he returns for his second USA Indoor nationals appearance as the fourth (tied) ranked competitor in the high jump. Shunk is a graduate from Delta High School (Ind.). Shunk was the NCAA Indoor High Jump Champion in 2003 and runner-up in 2002.

Carri Long, also a 2004 US Olympic Trials Qualifier, returns for her third appearance as the fifth (tied) ranked competitor in the high jump. Long is a graduate of Purdue University and Northview High School (Ind.) and is a Two-Time Indiana State High Jump Champion. Long has been consistently ranked in the top 10 in the US since 2000. In addition to competing on the US National Team at the 2001 World University Games, Long was a finalist at the 2000 Olympic Trials.

Francesca Green, a Two-Time NCAA All American, in her first USA Indoor Nationals appearance is ranked 6th in the long jump. Green was fourth at the NCAA Outdoor Championships and competed on the US National Team at the World Junior Championships in 1996. Green is also a Two-Time Washington State High School Champion in the 100.

USATF Nationals veteran, Shannon Gallagher, will compete as the eighth (tied) ranked athlete in the pole vault fresh off of her Olympic Trials qualifying vault on February 22nd. Gallagher, a 10-time USATF Championships Qualifier, placed 10th at the 2000 Olympic Trials in the pole vault.

Brandon Hon, a 2004 US Olympic Trials Qualifier in the 110 hurdles, will compete in the 60 meter hurdles as the 9th (tied) ranked athlete in the field. Hon finished 13th in the 2003 edition of USA Indoor Nationals. Hon, a graduate of the University of Cincinnati, was the 2001 Conference USA champion in the 400 hurdles.

Ebbie Metzinger, a graduate of Purdue University and Benton Central High School (Ind.), returns for her second USA Indoor Nationals appearance in the pole vault ranked 11th in her event.

Hope Sanders, a 2004 US Olympic Trials Qualifier in the 800, returns for her fourth appearance at USATF Indoor nationals in the 800 as the 12th ranked competitor. Sanders, a graduate of the University of Illinois and Warren Central HS (Ind.), finished eighth in 2003, sixth in 2000 and seventh in 1999 at the Indoor Championships in addition to competing at the 2000 Olympic Trials.

Jamey Sperle, a Dakota Wesleyan graduate will make his second appearance at USA Indoor Nationals where he finished 12th in 2003. The Seven Time NAIA All-American finished 2nd in the 2003 NAIA Outdoor Championships at 200 meters.

Jacob Koczman, a 2004 US Olympic Trials Qualifier in the 800, ranked 17th in the 800 will race in his second USATF Indoor Championship. Koczman is a two-time NAIA Champion (400 outdoors & 600 indoors).

Also qualified but not competing due to plans specific for this summer's Olympic Trials are Greg Yeldell, a 2004 US Olympic Trials Qualifier in the triple jump; Zack Riley, a 2004 US Olympic Trials Qualifier in the hammer throw; and decathlete Alex Sprague (Heptathlon).

Team Director Greg Harger said, "Satisfaction for this group will not be graded until after we finish the weekend's competition." Harger added, "In most cases, we are headed to nationals with the intent of competing for the privilege to represent USA Track & Field's national teams. That opportunity is a long and challenging path and this championship is a step in that process for these individuals. We have a proud history of playing a role in the advancement of talented athletes to the highest level of competition in our sport. We welcome the opportunity to continue growing our list of national team qualifiers."

The USA Indoor Track & Field Championships are the world's oldest indoor track championships, with the first meet being held in 1888 in New York. The top two finishers in each event being selected for the contingent of Team USA that will compete at the 2004 IAAF World Indoor Championships in Athletics March 5-7 in Budapest, Hungary. 2003 USA Indoor Track & Field Championships:
http://www.usatf.org/events/2003/USAIndoorTFChampionships/


INDIANA INVADERS' YELDELL HITS NATIONAL MARK


February 22, 2004
(INDIANAPOLIS) Invaders' Greg Yeldell hit the national qualifying mark for the 2004 USATF Indoor National Championships with his win in the triple jump (15.45) at the Hoosier Hills Invitational, hosted by Indiana University on February 20, 2004.

Yeldell, a three-time member of the US National Team, is a 2004 US Olympic Trials Qualifier and was 13th at the USA Outdoor Championships in 2003. Yeldell also won the gold medal in the triple jump at the Pan American Games in 1999.

Teammates Adrian Swanson won the 400 (48.22), Amber Plowden was runner-up in the 60 (7.54), and Natasha Lothery was second in the 800 (2:14.79).

In action at the Kent State Tune-up meet, hosted by Kent State University, the Invaders' Sharline Maxwell-Divis won the 400 (55.12) and finished second in the 200 (24.99). Olympic Trials Qualifier, Jacob Koczman, was second in the 800 (1:50.67) with Eddie Nehus in third (1:51.41) and Daniel Walden (1:52.49). Jamey Sperle was third in the 200 (21.65) and fourth in the 55 meters (6.45).

Team Director Greg Harger said, "This was a relatively low-key weekend as we head into next weekend's indoor national championship in Boston. Yeldell in reality was evaluating his fitness in preparation for the outdoor season with short approach jumps." Harger added, "Those headed to Boston are ready to go."

Currently, nine Invaders are qualified for Indoor Nationals - Zack Riley (WT), Hope Sanders (800), Carri Long (HJ), Adam Shunk (HJ), Shannon Gallagher (PV), Francesca Green (LJ), Greg Yeldell (TJ), Brandon Hon (60H), and Alex Sprague (Heptathlon).


INDIANA INVADERS LAUNCH MASTERS TRACK & FIELD PROGRAM


February 12, 2004
(INDIANAPOLIS) The Indiana Invaders are launching a masters track and field program, for athletes over the age of 30, as part of the club's commitment to meeting the goals of USA Track & Field's Club Revitalization Task Force Initiatives.

USA Track & Field's Club Revitalization Mission Statement: "To expand and broaden opportunities for America's track & field athletes to continue their participation and development outside of and beyond our school-based programs through USATF clubs."

The Indiana Invaders' Masters Program is the third phase of a five phase track & field development project intended to create the first comprehensive, community based national class track & field program attending to all levels of track & field participation. While pursuing excellence in competitive arenas is a clear goal for each division of the Indiana Invaders' program; fun, friendship, education and good health are also goals and objectives held in high regard.

Membership benefits include access to purchase official Indiana Invaders' apparel, special discounts, invitations to select Invaders social events, exclusive training clinics and training sessions, and the opportunity to represent the Invaders at Masters National Championships in Indoor & Outdoor Track and Field, Cross Country, and on the Road.

As the fourth largest registered USATF club in the Midwest, the Invaders' competitive Masters program compliments the team's elite development program in offering a supportive and unique team environment to competitive athletes.

Team Director Greg Harger said, "Masters competition, as an Invader, offers a unique opportunity to compete as a team, to wear the team colors, and to have fun. As the program grows we expect to have significant success at the Masters National Championships. The additional interaction that these athletes will have with our elite membership should be interesting." Harger added, "As we grow our masters program we look forward to creating and bidding for Masters T&F events to be held in Indiana in the future to help increase awareness and participation for Indiana masters aged athletes."

The Indiana Invaders, a not-for-profit organization founded in 1998, presenting an innovative approach to track & field by providing a resident-based, athlete-centered support system unique to the sport in the United States.


INDIANA INVADERS ANNOUNCE BIG BLUE NATIONAL INVITATIONAL


February 11, 2004
(INDIANAPOLIS) The Indiana Invaders will host a high performance invitational track & field meet, the Big Blue National Invitational, in Hillsdale Michigan at Hillsdale College on June 11-12th, 2004. The event will be produced by NFTL, Inc.

For anyone that has ever fantasized of running a sub-4 minute mile, or standing atop the awards stand at the Olympic Games, this is a unique opportunity to see the athletes that are training to perform at this level as they will come to the Hillsdale community for one purpose - as a final preparation for the U.S. Olympic Trials.

For many of the participants, the meet will be a "last chance" Olympic Trials qualifying competition. The athletic action will feature some of America's top track & field athletes and will take place just four weeks before the 2004 U.S. Olympic Trials and is being billed as a "Family Friendly, Spectator Friendly" competition featuring high performance entertainment in the track stadium.

The Big Blue National Invitational, hosted by the Indiana Invaders, is an invitational-only high performance track meet featuring select events including the decathlon and heptathlon on Friday & Saturday June 11th & 12th. The Friday session will feature international relay teams and the Saturday session will be highlighted by "Wild Bill's Magical Miles." The Invaders, of Indianapolis, currently have 10 athletes qualified for the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team Trials and will be out in full force.

Meet Director Greg Harger said, "Hillsdale's outstanding Mondo surfaced facility will be a great place to compete. We are fortunate to have found a second World Class facility, in addition to Indiana University - Bloomington, with supportive and cooperative management here in the Midwest such that we can produce this type of event." Harger added, "This will be a high performance event that will bring the excitement, and the spirit of the Olympic season to the Hillsdale community. Fans will be able to see and touch these athletes as they make final preparations for the Olympic Trials."

Event Information:
http://www.nftl.net/events/2004/big_blue.asp


INDIANA INVADERS' CHAMPIONSHIP HIGHLIGHTS AND OLYMPIC PURSUITS


February 10, 2004
(INDIANAPOLIS) The Indiana Invaders head into their sixth competitive season after staging the 2004 USA Cross Country Championships and World Cross Country Team Trials in downtown Indianapolis, Indiana on February 7th & 8th.

The USA Cross Country Championships and World Cross Country Team Trials brought over 600 athletes to Indianapolis for the 106th running of the championship and had over 3000 spectators in attendance. This world class event also selected the US National Team for the 2004 World Cross Country Championships in Brussels, Belgium in March, 2004.

As the Invaders head further into the 2004 Olympic season and down the road to the Olympic Games in Athens, Greece, the team will also host the USATF National Club Track & Field Championships in Bloomington, Indiana on July 2nd & 3rd.

The Invaders have hosted the USATF National Club Track & Field Championships, featuring team scored competition, for the previous three years. Additionally, the Invaders have hosted several high performance meets needed for USA championship qualifying efforts. The team looks forward to bringing additional national and world class events to Indiana in the near future.

The team's support of Olympians and future Olympians provides a unique team and training environment for some of America's best athletes. Having had 18 athletes qualified for their respective Olympic Trials in 2000, the team currently has 10 athletes qualified for the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team Trials with five months remaining for more qualifying efforts.

In recent years, the Invaders have torn up the track individually and as a team, with an American record in the pentathlon, one world indoor championship gold medal, and seven individual national champions. The Invaders have also captured five individual runner-up finishes, and qualified 91 total athletes for the indoor and outdoor national championships in 5 years in addition to six USA National Club Championship Titles. Individual Champions and team championships have been won both on the cross country course and on the track.

Team Director Greg Harger said, "We have been very fortunate to experience both sides of the fence with respect to championship events with our competitive athlete successes and our event hosting. We're honored to bring national class events to our community and region. We are pursuing nothing less then excellence and will turn up the heat in coming months in our efforts." Harger added, "As we go forward, we will continue to make our presence known and we will support our athletes' athletic pursuits in the proper manner that respects the Olympic ideals of our sport. We will engage our community with our efforts and bring about a continuation of positive change for our sport."

Ten Invaders are qualified for the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team Trials, in July, with Hope Sanders (800), Jacob Koczman (800), Donnie Fellows (10,000), Brandon Hon (110H), Carri Long (HJ), Adam Shunk (HJ), Greg Yeldell (TJ), Zachary Riley (HT), Kirt Thompson (JT), and defending Olympic Trials Champion DeDee Nathan in the heptathlon.

The Indiana Invaders, a not-for-profit organization founded in 1998, presenting an innovative approach to track & field by providing a resident-based, athlete-centered support system unique to the sport in the United States.


INDIANA INVADERS' HON & SHUNK POST TOP 10 USA MARKS


February 9, 2004
(INDIANAPOLIS) Indiana Invaders' Brandon Hon and Adam Shunk put up marks this weekend with wins in the 60 hurdles and high jump that make current Top 10 USA Track & Field lists, respectively, at the Indiana Invitational in Bloomington, Indiana on February 7th, 2004.

Shunk, the 2003 NCAA Indoor Champion in the high jump, also hit the USA Indoor Qualifying standard with his winning jump of 2.23 meters with his season opening high jump competition. His inaugural appearance in an Invaders uniform is also an improvement on his Olympic Trials qualifying mark of 2.22 set last year.

Hon, in winning the 60 hurdles with a time of 7.68 seconds, improved his qualifying performance for the USA Indoor Championships. Hon's break through performance of 7.68 was a big bonus after running career bests of 7.81 in the preliminary round and 7.79 in the semi-finals.

Additional highlights over the weekend include teammate Carri Long, a graduate of Purdue University, and currently ranked fifth in the United States winning the high jump at the Husker Invitational hosted by the University of Nebraska with a performance of 1.84 meters. At Indiana University's Indiana Invitational, Amber Plowden won the 60 meters with a time of 7.49 seconds. Plowden was .03 seconds from hitting the national qualifying standard after running 7.45 in the semi-finals of the 60. Donnie Fellows, a 2003 USATF Outdoor Championship 10,000 competitor, won the 5,000 with a time of 14:27.09. Adrian Swanson took second in the 400 with a performance of 48.60. Plowden also took third in the 200 with a time of 25.15. Sharline Maxwell-Divis in her Indiana Invaders debut finished third in the 400 (55.93).

Team Director Greg Harger said, "This was a very busy weekend for the team on the track and with hosting the USA Cross Country World Trials and we got the job done on all fronts. Hon has been a flag bearer for the team on the track with his breakthrough performances. His progression since joining the team last year has been steady and he has responded extremely well to training in the post-collegiate environment after the initial transition. His patience and new found stability in his training environment is starting to pay dividends. Hon has a tremendous amount of talent that is just beginning to be explored." Harger added, "We are likely to add a few more national qualifiers in the next couple of weeks as we look toward Indoor Nationals at the end of February in Boston."

Currently, six Invaders are qualified for Indoor Nationals - Zack Riley (WT), Hope Sanders (800), Carri Long (HJ), Adam Shunk (HJ), Francesca Green (LJ) and Brandon Hon (60H).

Ten Invaders are currently qualified for the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team Trials, in July, with Hope Sanders (800), Jacob Koczman (800), Donnie Fellows (10,000), Brandon Hon (110H), Carri Long (HJ), Adam Shunk (HJ), Greg Yeldell (TJ), Zachary Riley (HT), Kirt Thompson (JT), and defending Olympic Trials Champion DeDee Nathan in the heptathlon.


INDIANA INVADERS TO HOST 2004 USA CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS


February 5, 2004
(INDIANAPOLIS) The 2004 USA Cross Country Championships and World Cross Country Team Trials, hosted by the Indiana Invaders, arrives in downtown Indianapolis, Indiana this weekend on February 7th & 8th.

America's Top distance runners will converge in Indianapolis as the championship selects the US National Team that will compete at the 2004 IAAF World Cross Country Championships, March 20-21 in Brussels, Belgium. More than 600 athletes will compete in the six championship races. The event also features a celebrity mascot race that will determine the national mascot champion of cross country in addition to a youth fun run and a community race on the championship cross country course.

Invaders' Rick Sluder, a graduate of Indiana State and North Central High School, is scheduled to compete in the 4,000 meter event on Saturday, February 7th.

The Invaders are also busy this weekend on the track as Hope Sanders will compete in the 800 at the Millrose Games, 14 other Invaders athletes are competing at the Indiana University Invitational, and Carri Long is competing in the high jump at Nebraska.

Team Director Greg Harger said in an understatement, "It is a very busy weekend for the team. We look forward to the excitement of this weekend's championship efforts by our guests on the cross country course." Harger added, "It will be a very rewarding weekend for so many of our hardworking supporters, partners and members of our staff that have put in a lot of work to be prepared for a potentially very challenging event environment due to the spectrum of weather conditions that we possibly face."

Championship Results:
http://www.onlineraceresults.com/event/view_event.php?event_id=417


INVADERS' HOPE SANDERS IN 2004 VERIZON MILLROSE GAMES


February 4, 2004
(INDIANAPOLIS) Invaders' Hope Sanders will compete in the Sunny D Intense Sport 800 at the 2004 Verizon Millrose Games at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York on February 6, 2004.

Sanders, a graduate of Warren Central HS (Ind.), is a two-time Olympic Trials Qualifier and a veteran competitor at the USATF Track & Field Championships. Sanders has a career best of 2:03.48 for 800 meters from 2003. In 2003, Sanders finished eighth at the USA Indoor Championships and ninth at the USA Outdoor Championships along with a victory in the USA National Club Track & Field Championships.

Team Director Greg Harger said, "Hope is in the best fitness of her career for this time of the year. She will definitely be in the mix this weekend with the Invaders mentality of racing hard. It is an honor to receive this invitation and the competition from this very competitive race should set her up well for USA Indoor Nationals three weeks later as we are just now incorporating true speedwork into her training sessions." Sanders will face an international field including athletes from Jamacia, Barbados, and Slovenia along with 2000 US Olympic Trials champion Hazel Clark, of NIKE.

Held annually since 1908, the Verizon Millrose Games is the nation's longest running invitational track meet and will be televised on NBC as the second stop on USA Track& Field's Indoor Golden Spike Tour on Saturday, February 7, from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m., Eastern Time.


INVADERS' HOPE SANDERS HITS NATIONAL MARK


February 1, 2004
(INDIANAPOLIS) Invaders' Hope Sanders hit the national qualifying mark for the 2004 USATF Indoor National Championships with her win in the 800 (2:07.17) at the Doug Raymond Invitational, hosted by Kent State University on January 31, 2004. Sanders led the Invaders' capture of ten total event wins for the team.

Amber Plowden won the 60 and 200 (7.55 & 24.47), Jamey Sperle won the 60 & 200 (6.90 & 21.46), and 400 hurdlers Brandon Hon & Adrian Swanson went 1-2 in the Open 400 with times of 47.63 and 47.84, respectively. All four are within striking range of hitting their respective qualifying standards for the USATF Indoor National Championships in Boston, MA on February 27-29, 2004. Hon's win in the 400 and Swanson's runner-up time were both personal best performances.

Other winners were Shannon Gallagher in the Pole Vault, Pristina Jones in the long jump, Marc Dzradosi in the Triple Jump and decathlete Brendon Falconer's win in the long jump.

Team Director Greg Harger said, "This weekend was a solid outing for the sprinters. Kent State University's Track & Field program, their officials and volunteers are great hosts." Harger added, "We're getting ready to add a few more national qualifiers in the next couple of weeks as we look toward Indoor Nationals at the end of February in Boston."

Currently, five Invaders are qualified for Indoor Nationals - Zack Riley (WT), Hope Sanders (800), Carri Long (HJ), Francesca Green (LJ) and Brandon Hon (60H).



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