April 10, 2010

(Knoxville, TN) The Indiana Invaders make thier traditional outdoor season opener at the Sea Ray Relays, hosted by the University of Tennessee. Mason Cathey will kick things off for the weekend with her first of two scheduled races Friday eveing by racing the Invitational 1500.  Saturday will see the men lead off the day represented by an outing in the Distance Medley Relay (DMR).  Wrapping up the weekend, Mason Cathey will race the Invitational Steeplechase.

Mason Cathey is coming off her second USA National Championship appearance in late February where she finished 9th at 1500 meters. June of 2009 saw Cathey as a 3000 meter Steeplechase national qualifier for the Invaders. Cathey's best mark in 2009 left her #14 on the USA performance list in her first full season with the Indiana Invaders.

James "Jimmy" O'Brien will anchor the men's DMR by running a 1600 meter leg.  O'Brien, the newest member of the 2010 Indiana Invaders roster made his first USA National Championship appearance in late February at 800 meters.  The DMR will be lead off by Adrian Myers running the 1200 meter leg, followed by Nathaniel "Nate" Browning carrying the baton for 400 meters and handing off to Ricardo Bell for the 800 meter leg.

Coach Greg Harger said, "We are excited about returning the Sea Ray Relays to a traditional outdoor kick off to our regular season as we have a team record here for the women's DMR and we look forward to adding team records for the men's DMR and soon we'll add 4X800 records to the mix with our new program focus on the middle distances" Harger added, "With our team focus on preparation for USA Outdoor National Championships the relays allow for a low key early start to the season with a great emphasis on being a team and we get a good wake-up call run up against outstanding competition.  In the case of Mason this weekend we have her doubling at 1500 & Steeple as early mental preparation for making the finals at USA Outdoor Nationals in the 3000 Steeplechase which requires running two high level races in three days". 

The Indiana Invaders, a not-for-profit organization competing at USA National Championships since 1999, provide a resident-based, athlete-centered support system based in Indianapolis, Indiana.