INVADERS DUERINGER QUALIFIES FOR OLYMPIC TRIALS MARATHON
April 30, 2007
(INDIANAPOLIS) The Indiana Invaders seventh Olympic Trials qualifier was
posted with Stephanie Dueringer's performance of 2:45:25 at the 2007
Eugene Marathon on April 28, 2007.
Dueringer's performance qualified her for the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials
Women's Marathon which will be the US Olympic Team selection event for
the 2008 Olympic Games marathon to be held in Beijing, China. The U.S.
Olympic Trials Marathon will be held in Boston over the weekend of the
Boston Marathon as a separate event. This will be Dueringer's first
participation at a US Olympic Trials. Dueringer joins teammate Heather
May who also qualified for the women’s marathon trials with her effort
at the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon on October 22, 2006.
Team Director Greg Harger said, "Dueringer is now the seventh Invaders
athlete to post a mark for next year's Olympic Trials. For the next 12
months Stephanie's focus will be on optimal preparation for the Olympic
Trials Marathon in April of 2008. This is an important experience for
her and we know that she's up to the Challenge of being prepared to
break 2:40 with her teammate May." Harger added, "As the build up to the
Olympic Trials and the Olympic Games grows, we work to stay focused on
the day-in and day-out tedium of training that must be held in the
perspective of a specific date in 2008 and not get unduly distracted
with intermediate competitions.”
The Indiana Invaders had 16 athletes qualify for both the 2000 and the
2004 US Olympic Trials. Currently, seven Invaders athletes have posted
Olympic Trials qualifying marks for the 2008 US Olympic Trials. Since
1999 the Invaders have had one IAAF World Indoor Champion, one IAAF
World Indoor Bronze Medalist, eight USA National Champions, one USA
Olympic Team Member, nine USA National Team Members and 132 USA National
Championship Qualifiers.
INDIANA INVADERS OPEN SEASON WITH USA AND OLYMPIC TRIALS QUALIFIERS
April 29, 2007
(INDIANAPOLIS) The Indiana Invaders opened the outdoor track season
with four athletes posting qualifying marks for the 2007 USA
Championships and the 2008 Olympic Trials. Chris Thomas and Ron Andrews
ran qualifying times in the 110 meter hurdles, Jacob Koczman exceeded
the qualifying standards in the 800 while Adam Shunk jumped a national
mark in the high jump.
Kicking off the weekend's meets in Indianapolis, the Invaders had strong
performances at the Indy Relays, hosted by Butler University. The 110
meter hurdles saw Chris Thomas and Ron Andrews hitting the USA
qualifying standard with times of 13.64 and 13.78 seconds respectively
while finishing first and second in the competition. Thomas followed up
his personal best time hurdle victory by winning the 200 meters, also in
a personal best time. Additional Indy Relays note: Jamey Sperle finished
third in the 200 meter final as he enters the early stages of his return
to form from an on and off injury sequence.
Wrapping up Saturday's competitive performances for the Invaders was a
fist full of athletes competing at the Drake Relays, in Des Moines Iowa.
Adam Shunk, a member of the USA World Indoor Championship Team in 2006
and competing under a NIKE affiliation, finished third in the high jump
with a USA and Olympic Trials Qualifying standard performance of 2.26
meters. Joining Shunk with both USA National and Olympic Trials
qualifying marks was 800 meter teammate, Jacob Koczman. Koczman finished
sixth in a time of 1:48.30.
Rounding out the Top Five finishes at the Drake Relays for the Invaders
athletes were Hunter Spencer taking third in the Mile, pole vaulter Pat
Manson fifth at 5.36 meters and Julia Rudd took fifth in the 3000
steeple with a performance of 10:27.36.
Team Director Greg Harger said, "In reality with the recent weather in
the Midwest, this was essentially our team's season outdoor opening
weekend. Through Saturday's competition it was a good weekend where we
had four Invaders hitting qualifying standards for the USA Championships
that will be held in Indianapolis this June." Harger added, "The
training, the patience, and the desire to pursue excellence showed
itself for these athletes. We're looking for a great season of
performances for each of these athletes as we all prepare for the 2008
Olympic Season. As soon as Sunday results are in we expect additions to
the Invaders list of Olympic Trials qualified athletes."
The Indiana Invaders had 16 athletes qualify for both the 2000 and the
2004 US Olympic Trials. Currently, seven Invaders athletes have posted
Olympic Trials qualifying marks for the 2008 US Olympic Trials. Since
1999 the Invaders have had one IAAF World Indoor Champion, one IAAF
World Indoor Bronze Medalist, eight USA National Champions, one USA
Olympic Team Member, nine USA National Team Members and 132 USA National
Championship Qualifiers.
The Indiana Invaders, a not-for-profit organization founded in 1998,
presents an innovative approach to track & field by providing a
resident-based, athlete-centered support system unique to the sport in
the United States.
