INVADERS' BIG BLUE NATIONAL INVITATIONAL, JUNE 11-12
April 26, 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.
Initial accepted entries, including athlete profiles and photos,
for this unique track & field meet are now available online.
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. The Friday session
will feature international relay teams, including Liberia's National
Team, and the Saturday session will be highlighted by "Wild Bill's
Magical Metric Miles."
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.
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.
Meet Director Greg Harger said, "This will be a high performance
event that will bring the excitement and the spirit of the Olympic
season to the Hillsdale community. Hillsdale has an outstanding
Mondo surfaced facility that is ready for some great performances."
Harger added, "This a community oriented event featuring
spectatctor friendly and family friendly competition with
some of America's top athletes competing."
Big Blue National Invitational Information:
http://www.nftl.net/events/2004/big_blue.asp
Intitial Start Lists:
http://www.nftl.net/events/2004/04_big_blue_status.asp
Athlete & Team Registration is now available online via NFTL:
http://www.nftl.net/events/2004/04_big_blue_entry.asp
INVADERS' ADAM SHUNK SECOND AT IAAF GRAND PRIX II
April 25, 2004
(INDIANAPOLIS) Indiana Invaders' Adam Shunk captured runner-up
honors in the high jump at the Martinique IAAF Grand Prix II international competition
in Fort-de-France, Martinique, in the Carribean on April 24, 2004.
Shunk, competing in his first IAAF Grand Prix II meet, continues to
climb in the US outdoor rankings after tieing for second place at the
2004 USA Indoor Championships and winning the NCAA Indoor
Championships in 2003. Shunk moves to fifth in the US performance
list this season after defeating 2003 USA Indoor Champion Jamie Nieto.
GRAND PRIX II TOP FIVE:
1 Woods Terrance USA 2.24
2 Shunk Adam USA 2.22
3 Saint-Jean Fabrice FRA 2.22
4 Nieto Jamie USA 2.19
5 Clinger Charles USA 2.15
Team Director Greg Harger said, "Shunk has the hungry enthusiasm and
and talent necessary to making a mark in his event. We expect to
see some very big things from Shunk as we head toward the Olympic
Trials in July."
Teammates Zack Riley, a graduate of Ball State University, and Donnie
Fellows, a graduate of Purdue University competed at the Gina Relays
in Hillsdale Michigan. Riley took second in the hammer throw (67.89)
and Fellows captured third in the 10,000 with a time of 29:25.11 as
both Olympic Trials Qualifiers continue very solid preparation for
July's US Olympic Trials.
Meeting IAAF du Conseil General - Fort-de-France (FRA)
http://www.iaaf.org/GP04/results/eventCode=3162/
Hillsdale Gina Relays:
http://www.hillsdale.edu/chargers/
INDIANA INVADERS PLACE 5 IN TOP 5 AT DRAKE RELAYS
April 24, 2004
(INDIANAPOLIS) Invaders' Carri Long and Amber Plowden led the team
on the final blustery and wet day of the Drake Relays, in Des Moines,
Iowa, with their runner-up finishes in the Special Invitational
High Jump (1.84) and Special Invitational 200 (23.90), respectively.
Along with Olympian Kirt Thompson's win in the javelin on Friday
the Invaders' top 5 finishers included Sharline Maxwell-Divis with
a fourth in the Special Invitational 400 (55.16), and Brandon Hon
captured fifth in the Special Invitational 110 hurdles (13.85). Hon
also finished sixth in the Special Invitational 400 hurdles (51.17).
Jamey Sperle finished sixth in the Special Invitational 200 (21.57),
Hope Sanders took seventh in the Special Invitational 800 (2:10.64),
Francesca Green was seventh in the long jump (5.56), Jacob Koczman
was eighth in the men's Special Invitational 800 (1:51.68), Shannon
Gallagher was eighth in the Special Invitational pole vault (4.03),
and Adrian Swanson took ninth in the Special Invitational 400 hurdles
(51.98).
Team Director Greg Harger said, "Despite the challenging weather
on the track today, our athletes remained very competitive when
it was readily apparent that the great competition was not going
to over-come the restricts from mother nature on the day's efforts.
Overall our athletes did a great job in making this a learning
experience for those times when creative competiveness are critical
to success." Harger added, "Mark Kostek, the Drake Relays management
team, volunteers, and officials did an excellent job. They continue
to bump up the quality of the meet each year. The Drake Relays are
a great competitive opportunity for our athletes and we look forward
to the continued growth of our level of our performance each year."
The Drake Relays - America's Athletic Classic:
http://www.drakerelays.com
OLYMPIAN THOMPSON LEADS INVADERS AT DRAKE RELAYS
April 23, 2004
(INDIANAPOLIS) Olympian Kirt Thompson lead the Indiana Invaders on
the team's first day of competition at the 95th edition of the Drake
Relays, in Des Moines, Iowa, with his winning performance of 69.79
meters in the javelin.
Thompson, competing in his second meet of this Olympic season,
had two throws over 69 meters in this early season outing.
This is Thompson's second Drake Relays Championship sandwiching
a runner-up finish between wins in 2003.
Invaders' Amber Plowden and Francesca Green competing in the
100 finished 3rd and fifth in their respective sections Friday.
Green's weekend is focused on Saturday's long jump competition
while Plowden's attention will be on her appearance in the
Special Invitational 200 on Saturday.
On Saturday, in addition to Plowden and Green, the Invaders will
feature 10 additional championship appearances with Carri Long (HJ),
Jamey Sperle (200 & 400), Sharline Maxwell-Divis (400), Shannon
Gallagher (PV), Brandon Hon (110HH & 400H), Adrian Swanson (400H),
Jacob Koczman (800) and Hope Sanders (800) displaying their talents.
Team Director Greg Harger said, "This was a great opening day
for us this weekend. It'll be a challenge for the others to match
Kirt's performance tommorrow but we will have some very competitive
performances."
The Drake Relays - America's Athletic Classic:
http://www.drakerelays.com
INDIANA INVADERS HEADED TO DRAKE RELAYS
April 21, 2004
(INDIANAPOLIS) The Indiana Invaders are headed to the 95th edition of
the Drake Relays in Des Moines, Iowa on April 22-24, 2004. The Invaders
look to wrap up the April relay season at America's Athletic Classic.
The Invaders are led by former Drake Relays Champions, Olympian Kirt
Thompson (javelin) and Marc Dzradosi (triple jump).
Two-time Olympic Qualifier, Olympian Kirt Thompson, returns as the 2003
Drake Relays runner-up and the 2002 Drake Relays Champion in the javelin
(Friday). Marc Drzadosi, a graduate of Drake University and three time
NCAA Qualifier while at Drake, also returns as a 2002 Drake Relays
Champion and 2003 Drake Relays runner-up in the triple jump (Saturday).
Three-Time NAIA Champion Sharline Maxwell-Divis, a graduate of Briar
Cliff University (IA), will compete in the Special Invitational 400.
Two-Time NAIA Champion and Olympic Trials Qualifier Jacob Koczman, of
West Des Moines, will compete in the Special Invitational 800 while
fellow 800 competitor and Olympic Trials Qualifier, Hope Sanders, will
compete in the Women's Special Invitational 800 (Saturday). Sanders in
her race will face national record holders in the 800 from Malta,
Barbados, and Poland.
Olympic Trials Qualifier Brandon Hon will face some of the nation's best
hurdlers in the Special Invitational 110 Hurdles and the Special
Invitational 400 Hurdles (Saturday). Olympic Trials Qualifier Carri
Long, a graduate of Purdue University, will compete in the Special
Invitational High Jump. Shannon Gallagher, a 2000 Olympic Trials Top 10
finisher, will compete in the pole vault against a stacked field
featuring numerous world ranked competitors.
Jamey Sperle, a Seven Time NAIA All-American, will compete in the
Special Invitational 200. Sperle finished sixth at the 2004 USA Indoor
Championships in the 200. Two-Time PAC-Ten Champion Francesca Green
will run the 100 meters and compete in the long jump. Joining Green in
the 100 and competing in the Special Invitational 200 will be Amber
Plowden.
Team Director Greg Harger said, "With 8500 athletes and over 62 foreign
countries represented the Drake Relays are an awesome location for our
top athletes to open up the more intense portion of their outdoor
season. The Invaders are fired up about the opportunity to compete in
front of such a great audience where the final day of competition has
been sold out for decades."
America's Athletic Classic - Drake Relays:
http://www.drakerelays.org/
INDIANA INVADERS IMPROVE OLYMPIC TRIALS QUALIFYING MARKS
April 18 2004
(INDIANAPOLIS) The Indiana Invaders' Zack Riley and Brandon Hon put up
Olympic Trials Qualifying improvements and career bests in the hammer
throw and 110 high hurdles, 69.75 meters and 13.72 respectively. Riley
and Hon are two of 11 Invaders that have meet the Olympic Trials
Qualifying standards in their respective events early in the Olympic
season.
Riley, a graduate of Ball State University, moved into the US Top
10 list with his performance of 69.75 meters, at Indiana State
University's Pacesetter Invitational on April 16th. Riley competed
again on the 17th at Butler University's Indy Relays and won the
hammer with a throw over 68 meters. Riley was seventh at the 2002
NCAA Outdoor Championships in the hammer throw.
Hon, a graduate of the University of Cincinnati, moved into the
US Top 15 list with his winning efforts in the 110 high hurdles at
Butler's Indy Relays. Hon also won the 400 hurdles with a time of
51.42. During the indoor season, Hon finished 11th at the 2004
USATF Indoor National Championships in the 60 hurdles.
Led by Hon & Riley, the Invaders' won 10 events at Butler University's
Indy Relays on a weekend that for all practical purposes was the
opening weekend for many of the Invaders athletes in this Olympic
season.
Other notables from the Invaders roster competing in the Indy Relays
included Olympian Kirt Thompson, throwing a modest 69.04 meters to win
the javelin while adjusting to very difficult cross winds. 2000 Olympic
Trials Decathlate, Brendon Falconer, winning the long jump (7.43),
finishing second in the 110 high hurdles (14.42) and the shot put
(14.69). Jacob Koczman, an Olympic Trials Qualifier in the 800, took
third in the 400 with a time of 48.33 as he made a warm-up appearance
before his 800 season debut set for the Drake Relays next weekend.
The Invaders dominated the 100, 200, 400, and 800 on the women's
side with wins in each event. Amber Plowden won the 100 (11.79),
Sharline Maxwell-Divis scored a double win in the 200 and 400 (24.36
& 54.02), and Natasha Lothery won the 800 (2:13.04). Ebbie Metzinger,
a graduate of Purdue University, won the pole vault with a clearance
of 4.15.
The Invaders' Jamey Sperle competed at the Kansas Relays.
Sperle was third in the 400 (47.57) and sixth in the 200 (21.40).
Donnie Fellows, a graduate of Purdue University, finished 4th in a
section of the Mt Sac Relays University/Open 5,000 meter race in
a time of 14:10.50 with his season opening race. Fellows is a
2004 US Olympic Trials Qualifier in the 10,000.
Team Director Greg Harger said, "This was a good early outing for us
as we head toward the Olympic Trials in July. It's exciting to see
the progress that Riley and Hon are making in their events. They
have the passion and enthusiasm necessary to compete at a very high
level in their events." Harger added, "We'll be at the Drake Relays
this coming weekend and look forward to getting a few more athletes
ramped up to national level efforts with all the tremendous energy
we always find in Des Moines at the end of April each year."
2004 Butler University Indy Relays (Results)
http://butlersports.collegesports.com/sports/c-track/spec-rel/indyrelays04results.html
The Indiana Invaders will travel to Des Moines, Iowa to compete
in the historic 95th edition of the Drake Relays next weekend
(April 22-24).
INDIANA INVADERS ADD NAIA CHAMPION JOHN NGIGI
April 14 2004
(INDIANAPOLIS) The Indiana Invaders have added NAIA Champion distance
runner John Ngigi to the team's roster. Ngigi is the 2003 NAIA
Champion in both the 10,000 and Marathon from Huntington College (IN).
Ngigi, as a 11 time NAIA All-American, was sixth at the 1999 NAIA
Cross Country Championships and was voted the Outstanding Performer
of the NAIA National Championships in 2003 with his double victory
in the 10,000 and Marathon.
Team Director Greg Harger said, "Ngigi's training will be focused
initially on the roads as we build a base for him and then we will
look at cross country opportunities for him. He has a considerable
amount of undeveloped talent and potential since he has not
experienced any sustained training at high volume levels."
Harger added, "Ngigi's addition to the team is one of several
distance athletes that will be added to our distance group in
the near future."
Of 10 Invaders already qualified for the 2004 US Olympic Trials, the
Invaders' distance contingent of currently qualified athletes includes
Hope Sanders (800), Jacob Koczman (800), and Donnie Fellows (10,000).
INVADERS' HEATHER MAY, OLYMPIC TRIALS MARATHON
April 3 2004
(INDIANAPOLIS) Invaders' Heather May finished 43rd at the 2004 U.S.
Olympic Women's Marathon Team Trials in St. Louis with a career best
of 2:46:37 on April 3rd, 2004. May, a Bloomington resident, was
the top Indiana resident in this Olympic Trials marathon event.
May went through the 1/2 way point with a time of 1:23:02 and
finished the second half of the course in 1:23.35. This is May's
fourth marathon in the past 12 months with every outing resulting
in a new career best.
Team Director Greg Harger said, "May had a very mature race plan
and execution. She broke into the top 1/2 of the field this weekend
in what is clearly just the beginning of her elite running career."
Harger added, "The Event organizers, the City of St Louis,
officials, and volunteers did an excellent job this weekend."
