INVADERS' MCMULLEN CAPTURES FOURTH IN DECATHLON

July 23, 2000
(SACRAMENTO)- Phil McMullen (Asics) of the Indiana Invaders' training group captured fourth in the decathlon at the 2000 Olympic Track and Field Trials. Invaders' Collette Liss (5000 meters), Steven Parker (high jump), and Leslie Vidmar (shot put) also completed their respective competitions.

McMullen's second place finish in the final event, the 1500 meters, vaulted him from 6th to 4th place. Tom Pappas (adidas) finished first with 8467 points while Chris Huffins (Oakley International) finished second with 8285 points.

McMullen's best performance is 8097 points which meets the Olympic A standard (8050) and would allow McMullen to compete at the Olympic Games if either of the top three finishers are unable to compete. McMullen plans to compete in the USA vs. Germany Decathlon set for August.

Liss set a new personal best in the 5000 meter finals in Hornet Stadium with a twelfth place finish of 15:49.85.

Parker failed to clear the opening height in the high jump. Only 11 of the 22 in the high jump field cleared opening height of 2.20m (7'02.50").

Vidmar placed 11th in the field of 18 with a toss of 49'7". "Not up to par," said Vidmar in regard to her throw in the shot put. Vidmar entered the Olympic Trials with a tenth place national ranking.

Thursday, McAfee & Sanders completed competition for the Invaders.

John McAfee sprained his wrist and ankle in a fall during his qualifying section of the 400 meter hurdles.

Hope Sanders' 2:04.76 in the opening round of the 800 was faster than the top two finishers in the first section of the 800 meters. Sanders' qualifying section saw 6 of 7 competitors making the finals. Sander's was 0.14 seconds from qualifying for the finals.

"Two years ago we didn't have a team and now we have taken 13 athletes to the U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials. We placed one on the Olympic Team. Numerous other athletes reached the finals in their respective events. We are extremely proud of each and every one of our Invader athletes. Please stay tuned through 2004, because the Invaders expect to become a force in United States Track and Field competition," said Head Coach Buhler.

Top Invaders' Performances at 2000 Olympic Trials
1st - Heptathlon	DeDee Nathan		6343 points
4th - Decathlon		Phil McMullen		7954 points
7th - 1500 meters	Collette Liss		4:13.45
11th - Shot Put		Leslie Vidmar		15.12m
12th - 5000 meters	Collette Liss		15:49.85
13th - Javelin		Jamie Strieter		50.28m
14th - Discus		Angie Joy		50.26m

Complete Results available at:
http://www.runnersworld.com/road2sydney/outdoors/home.html

LISS QUALIFIES FOR 5000 METER FINALS AT OLYMPIC TRIALS

July 17, 2000

(SACRAMENTO) - Invaders’ Collette Liss qualified for the 5000 meter final in Hornet Stadium with a ninth place finish in her heat (15:53.49) at the 2000 Olympic Track and Field Trials. Regina Jacobs (Nike) won the qualifying section in 15:36.09. Liss placed seventh in the 1500 meter finals the day before with a time of 4:13.45.

“Collette demonstrated remarkable recovery capabilities with her second best performance ever at 5,000 meters.” said Invaders Head Coach Chris Buhler. “She looks forward to Friday night’s final and the opportunity to compete with America’s best distance runners.

The women’s 5000 meter finals take place Friday evening at 9:20pm.

Tuesday and Wednesday are rest days at the Trials, competition resumes Thursday afternoon at 4:00pm. Five Invader athletes have yet to compete in the Trials that continue through July 23. Phil McMullen (Asics) of the Invaders’ training group will start competition in the decathlon on Thursday. McMullen, ranked fourth by Track & Field News going into the decathlon trials, will square off against favorites Chris Huffins (Mizuno), Tom Pappas (Tenn), and Dan O’Brien (Nike).

Leslie Vidmar, Brendon Falconer, John McAfee, and Hope Sanders will begin their qualifying process on Thursday in the shot put, decathlon, 400 meter hurdles, and 800 meters respectively. Vidmar is ranked tenth going into the Olympic Trials.

Complete Results available at:
http://www.runnersworld.com/road2sydney/outdoors/home.html

LISS FINISHES SEVENTH IN 1500 METERS AT OLYMPIC TRIALS; JOY, STRIETER FAIL TO ADVANCE TO TRIALS FINALS

July 15, 2000

(SACRAMENTO)-- Collette Liss placed seventh in the 1500 meter finals at the 2000 Olympic Track and Field Trials taking place at California State University at Sacramento with a time of 4:13.45. Regina Jacobs (Nike) won the event in 4:01.02.

Liss led at 400 meters in 65.53 and 800 meters in 2:12.83. Just before the bell, Jacobs and Favor-Hamilton went by and were virtually even at 1200 meters (3:18.68). They dueled down the backstretch with Jacobs a few steps ahead of Favor-Hamilton. Favor-Hamilton finished second (4:01.81) and Marla Runyan moved up through the last lap and took the third Olympic spot in 4:06.44.

"Collette displayed the Invaders mentality which says 'we go hard from the gun' and our interest is to find out who wants to really hurt for the entire race," said Invaders Head Coach Chris Buhler.

Liss will evaluate a 5000 meters qualification performance on Monday morning. Qualifying rounds of the women's 5,000 meter race begin Monday at 6:45 pm.

Jamie Strieter finished fourth in her section of the javelin throw with a mark of 50.28 meters. However, a strong field in the second section pushed Strieter into 13th place, just one position from advancing to the finals. Strieter was only one inch behind twelfth place.

Angie Joy, who like Strieter was competing in her first Olympic Trials, finished fourteenth in the discus with a throw of 50.26 meters.

"Joy and Strieter are young and hungry competitors that will undoubtedly be motivated to further improvements in the coming years by their experiences in Sacramento," said Invaders' Club Director Greg Harger.

Complete Results available at:
http://www.runnersworld.com/road2sydney/outdoors/home.html

NATHAN BECOMES FIRST INVADERS’ ATHLETE TO QUALIFY
FOR OLYMPIC GAMES WITH VICTORY IN HEPTATHLON

July 15, 2000
(SACRAMENTO)-- DeDee Nathan, a graduate of Indiana University and a member of the Indiana Invaders, won the women's heptathlon with 6,343 points just four points over Shelia Burrel (Nike) on the second day of the 2000 U.S. Olympic Trials. Nathan becomes the first Olympic athlete in the Invaders' two year history.

As the top finisher, Nathan advances to the Olympic Games on her third attempt having finished fourth at the '92 and '96 Olympic Trials. Nathan's heptathlon score is her best performance this year. Nathan stayed within five seconds of Burrel in the final event, the 800 meters, to win. "You have to be happy as hell for DeDee. Eight years of work," said Invaders Head Coach Chris Buhler. Nathan's strength coach, John Smith, commented before the 800 meter race that "Nathan did what she needed to do, be solid in every event (to win)." The rest of Nathan's coaching team, speed coach George Freeman and throws coach David Martin, concurred "She'll have to focus on being "track sharp" for the Olympics in September and we have six weeks to finish getting ready."

"I knew it would be touch and go in the 800 for DeDee, but this year she will make the Olympic Team," said Track Coaches Association President and former Indiana University Head Track Coach Sam Bell.

Invaders teammates Frankie Young and Le'Gretta Smith competed in the long jump and 400 meter hurdles respectively. Young jumped 7.43 meters and Smith finished fourth in her section with a 57.76 second effort. Both failed to advance to the finals in their events.

Eight Invader athletes have yet to compete in the Trials that continue through July 23. Collette Liss qualified on Friday for the final in the 1500 meters to take place Sunday. Liss enters the race with the sixth fastest time. Jamie Strieter and Angie Joy will begin their qualifying process on Sunday in the javelin and discus respectively.

Complete Results available at:
http://www.runnersworld.com/road2sydney/outdoors/home.html

INVADERS' SUCCESSFUL FIRST DAY AT OLYMPIC TRIALS

July 15, 2000

(SACRAMENTO)-- DeDee Nathan, a graduate of Indiana University and a member of the Indiana Invaders, leads the women's heptathlon with 3747 points after four events on the first day of the U.S. Olympic Trials. Teammate Collette Liss, 1999 graduate of Valparasio University, automatically qualified for the finals of the 1500m with a second place finish in the third heat (4:11.90).

DeDee Nathan's coach Dave Martin stated before the start of the heptathlon that "If she is on, no one can compete with her". Apparently Invaders Head Coach Chris Buhler agrees with coach Martin after her first day of competition. "Sports fans stay tuned, we'll be putting our first athlete on the Olympic team tomorrow" said Buhler. DeDee finished in fourth at the '92 and '96 Olympic Trials barely missing a spot on the Olympic team on both occasions.

After her recent personal best in winning the Fifth Third Bank Clash for Cash, in Indianapolis on July 1st, Liss again was relaxed, focused, and ready to compete. "I planned to go out hard today for 800 meters and see where I was. I didn't want to have to fight anyone off at the end," said Liss.

The pole vault was full of disappointment for many including Daren McDonough of the Invaders who was unable to clear opening height in the qualifying round along with American record holder Jeff Hartwig.

In only their second year of competition the Invaders are seeking spots on the Olympic Team in front of crowds expected to exceed the 151,522 of the 1996 meet in Atlanta. With two of three Invaders successful on the first day of the U.S. Olympic Trials and 10 more athletes yet to compete the Invaders anticipate continued success.

Complete Results available at:
http://www.runnersworld.com/road2sydney/outdoors/home.html

INVADERS' FRENCH BLASTS PERSONAL BEST MARK
IN 5000 METERS AT CAN AM RACE IN MONTREAL

JULY 11, 2000

(INDIANAPOLIS)-- The Indiana Invaders' Kelly French, a 1998 graduate of Southern Illinois University, blazed to a personal best time of 16:16.65 in finishing in tenth place in the 5000 meters event at the CanAm High Performance Distance Circuit event at Montreal's McGill University on Saturday.

The CanAm circuit was developed to provide low-cost high performance competition opportunities for North American elite and emerging elite middle distance and distance runners during the summer months following the national championship meets.

French's previous best times over 5,000 meters was 17:21, performed on an indoor track while a collegiate athlete. The 5,000 meter race at McGill University was French's first serious outing at the distance after a year of training under Invaders Head Coach, Chris Buhler.

Invaders' teammate Stephanie Dueringer, also competing in the race, finished in 15th place in 16:46.47.

"Here's an athlete that struggled through college and after some injuries, gave her career one more shot and with the right combination of support, facilities, and training she's running like she should have years ago," said Invaders Head Coach Chris Buhler. He added, "Kelly's outstanding performance in Montreal is evidence of our ability to take fringe runners and make them very good."

French will compete in the 1500 meters at the Canadian Olympic Track and Field Trials on August 11-12 in British Columbia.

For more information, contact Greg Harger at 317/274-9749.

INVADERS' FALCONER QUALIFIES FOR OLYMPIC TRIALS

July 11, 2000
(INDIANAPOLIS)-- Brendon Falconer, a 1998 graduate of Kent State University and a member of the Indiana Invaders, qualified for the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials in the decathlon with a 7,950 point outing at the Invaders' DECA held July 7-8 at the I.U. Michael A. Carroll Track and Soccer Stadium on the IUPUI campus.

Falconer is the 13th member of the Indiana Invaders to qualify for the U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials to take place July 14-23 in Sacramento, Calif.

The meet included Invaders Jamie Cook, Kamau Sullivan, and Falconer, plus Tom Pappas (adidas) and Phil McMullen (ASICS), who also trains with the Invaders.

Pappas and McMullen, both ranked in the top four decathletes headed to the U.S. Trials, used the event as a tune up for the Olympic Trials while Falconer accomplished the last chance qualifier with a lifetime best score. The mark follows two seasons of minor injuries that had kept him from achieving the necessary qualifying standard earlier.

Falconer's first-day performances were: 100 meters (10.9 and 830 points), long jump (7.42 meters and 915 points), shotput (14.25 meters and 744 points), high jump (1.97 meters and 776 points), and 400 meters (48.6 and 874 points) for a total of 4139 points.

His second day results were: 110 hurdles (14.0 and 944 points), discus (38.82 and 641 points), pole vault (4.50 meters and 760 points), javelin (57.58 meters and 701 points), and 1500 meters (4:26.8 and 765 points) for a second day total of 3811 points.

For further information, contact Greg Harger at 317/274-9749.

INVADERS' LISS CAPTURES TOP PRIZE, PERSONAL BEST MARK AT FIFTH THIRD BANK CLASH FOR CASH MEET AT INDIANAPOLIS

July 5, 2000

(INDIANAPOLIS)-- Collette Liss, of the Indiana Invaders, ran a personal best 4:11.24 over 1500 meters good for a 9.3 score to capture first- place honors and a check for $3,053 at the Fifth Third Bank Clash For Cash on Saturday at the Michael A. Carroll Track and Soccer Stadium at IUPUI.

The meet showcased many of the nation's finest track and field athletes in one of the final tune-up meets prior to the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials to take place July 14-23 at Sacramento, Calif..

All individual performances were scored on a ten-point scale with athletes competing against others in their respective events and all athletes in the meet. Scoring was updated following each event with the order of events determined based on the quality of the field of each event.

In a dramatic finish to the meet, Liss overtook hurdler Mario Watts with two events remaining. Liss attacked Watt's score of 8.7 points from the start knowing that she needed a time of 4:13.60 or better to take the lead from Watts and that the women's 100 hurdles and men's pole vault remained as the final events. The field of hurdlers & vaulters had several athletes with season bests that would post a score of 9.1 points which would require Liss to then post a 4:11.60 or better if she hoped to win the entire competition.

In posting her winning mark, Liss ran alone from the start with an opening 64 seconds for the first 400 meters. The winning time for Liss is among the top ten of all qualifiers for the U.S. Olympic Trials.

Liss's fragile lead survived an assualt on the top 10 performances of the meet as four 100 hurdles lead by Tonya Lawson moved into the top ten. Minutes later, pole vaulter Tim Mack (Ultimate Athletics), as the winner of the men's pole vault competition and the sole remaining competitor of the meet, had the bar set at 5.86 meters. If cleared successfully, the height would garner 9.4 points and the first place prize. Mack had three gallant but unsuccessful attempts at the winning height before settling for second with his 5.75 meters mark (8.8 points).

Mack received the second place prize of $2,053 points. Third place and $1,053 was won by Mario Watts, who was clocked at 49.08 (8.7 points) in the 400 meter hurdles. A total of more than $10,000 in prize money was awarded to the top ten finishers in the point standings.

"Beyond the great competition we had in several individual events and for the overall prize money, we are very satisfied to have non-track spectators walk away from the meet surprised at how much fun they had and how informed they were throughout the event as to what was happening in a sport that was foreign to them," said Greg Harger, Meet Director. He added, "Even track fans, including the athletes and coaches, acknowledged that for the first time in their careers, they watched all the events and knew what was happening throughout a track meet. Given time and a few adjustments, we feel we have a very exciting format and presentation style and look forward to hosting four meets in 2001 with this format."

Other to receive prize money were: Tied for fourth at 8.6 points were Tye Harvey (Bell Athletics), second in the pole vault at 5.70 meters, John McAfee (Indiana Invaders) with a 49.25 timing in the 400 meter hurdles, and Tonya Lawson (Fila), who finished in 13.04 in the 100 meter hurdles. Each received $853.00 in prize money.

The seventh through tenth place finishers were: Monifa Taylor (8.4 points with a second place timing of 13.10 in the 100 meter hurdles), Yolanda McCoy (Nike) (8.2 points with a third place timing of 13.19 timing in the 100 meter hurdles), Le'Gretta Smith (Indiana Invaders) (57.30 timing in the 400 meter hurdles), and Nicole Harrison (fourth in the 100 meter hurdles in 13.23) each scored 8.0 points.

Other top performers were Hope Sanders (Indiana Invaders), of Warren Central HS, clipping Melissa Smith-Richardson (Laker Track Club) in the 800 meters with a 2:05.04 ahead of Smith-Richardson in 2:05.21 and LaTasha Jenkins (Nike), formerly of Ball State, being runner-up in the 100 meters and coming back to win the 200 meters in 23.06. Angela Manuel was ahead of Jenkins in the 100 meters 11.43 to 11.46.

Reigning world indoor heptathlon champion DeDee Nathan (Indiana Invaders) competed in five events winning the long jump (6.41 meters), third in the high jump (1.73 meters), shot put (14.44 meters), and javelin (43.15 meters), and fifth in the 100 meter hurdles (13.56).

In the men's triple jump, Lamont Dagen (Indiana Invaders) won top honors with a leap of 16.00 meters just ahead of Ike Olekaibe (Purdue) at 15.98 meters and Greg Yeldell (Indiana) at 15.85 meters).

For more information, contact Greg Harger.