NASHVILLE ELITE WINS MEN'S NATIONAL TITLE BY 0.10 SECONDS
July 22, 2001
(INDIANAPOLIS) In the quest for the men's championship title at the
inagural USA National Track & Field Club Championship the final
three relays (4x100, Sprint Medley, and 4x400) were critical in
Maryland Elite's matchup against Nashville Elite. The heated battle
was determined by 0.10 seconds in the final men's relay (4x400)
as Nashville Elite's Antoine Batiste edged Maryland Elite's
Dameon Johnson by 0.10 seconds at the finish.
Batiste not only anchored the determining relay for the men's title,
but he also anchored Nashville Elite's second place 4x100 and first
place Sprint Medley relays. During Friday's session Batiste took
second place in the 800 (8 points) and third place in the 3,000SC
(6 points). Overall, Batiste ran the gamut from a leg in the 4x100
relay to hurdling barriers and navigating water jumps in the 3000SC.
Not to be outdone by Batiste's efforts, teammate Mario Paul scored
in six events - 400H (2nd), long jump (3rd), 400 (5th) and the
three relays for a total of 25 points. Nashville Elite had 3
members score over 20 points - Batiste (21), Xavier James (23),
and Paul (25). Maryland Elite was lead by Derwin Davis's 24 points.
Davis picked up wins in both the 100 and 200 while helping the
team pick up a win in the 4x100 and third place in the Sprint
Medley.
The "Outstanding Male Performer of the Meet" was Olympian Kirt
Thompson of the Indiana Invaders with a 73.04 meter toss in the
javelin.
The "Most Valuable Male Athlete" of the championship was
Indiana Invaders' distance ace Rick Sluder with 28 points.
Sluder won the 1500 and 5,000 while finishing second in the
3,000SC behind teammate Todd Moroney. Sluder scored 28 points.
The race for the women's championship title was won by the Indiana
Invaders with 204 points. The top performance on the women's side
came from Judy Porter, also of the Indiana Invaders, with a 12 second
PR to win the 3,000SC in 10:25.21. Porter's performance
earned her the "Outstanding Female Performer of the Meet" honors.
In the distance medley relay (1200-400-800-1600) the Indiana
Invaders put together the second fastest time in the world for 2001
with a 11:06.56. Kelly French lead off with a 3:29 for 1200 meters
after running her 2nd-best-ever 1500 (4:22.78) earlier in the day,
400 hurdler Le'gretta Smith took the baton to run an excellent 400
leg in 53.9, Priscilla Hein then ran 2:07 on the 800 leg after doubling
earlier in the meet (winning the 800 in 2:05.65 and finishing 3rd in
the 1500) leaving Collette Liss to anchor after having earlier won
the 1500. Liss completed her 1600 meter circuit in 4:34 leaving the
Invaders wondering about a possible run at the World Best on a day
when they all have fresh legs.
The "Most Valuable Female Athlete" was the Indiana Invaders'
Tara "Big Time" Loper. Loper won the discus throw and
finished second in the shot put and hammer throw for a
total of 26 points.
The 21 clubs at this inagural championship represent a membership
base of over 12,000 from communities in 16 states. The men's
champions, Nashville Elite, are among four clubs that were founded
in 2001 because of the opportunity to compete in a team championship.
Sluder and Loper led the Indiana Invaders to win the club
championship with a score of 252 points. The women's title
was won by the Invaders with 204 points. A total of nine
women's teams and 17 men's teams competed in the inagural
year of the club championship.
TOP 10 TEAMS MEN WOMEN TOTAL
Indiana Invaders 48 204 252
Maryland Elite 88 42 130
Nashville Elite 92 0 92
Greater Boston TC 53 0 53
Shore Athletic Club 28 10 38
Athenian Athletics 31 0 31
Club Northwest 18 8 26
Pioneer Track Club 24 0 24
Miami Valley TC 20 0 20
Knoxville TC 18 0 18
The Indiana Invaders will host the USA National Track &
Field Club Championships again in 2002 and 2003.
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.
For additional information on the Indiana Invaders, please contact Greg
Harger at 317 289-4018.
HIGHLIGHTS: USA NATIONAL CLUB TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS
July 20, 2001
(INDIANAPOLIS) The Indiana Invaders will start day two
of the USA National Track & Field Club Championship
with a lead of 83 points, for the club title, over
second place Nashville Elite's 41 points. In the battle
for the men's team title Nashville Elite has a 13 point
lead over Maryland Elite's 28 points and the Invaders
are in fourth with 18 points. For the women's title the
Invaders have a 90 point lead over second place New
Haven Age Group TC (106 vs.16).
In the men's quest for the club title, it will be a battle
between Greater Boston TC, Maryland Elite, and Nashville
Elite to score critical points in a head-to-head matchup
in all three relays (4x100, 4x400, and SMR).
The top female performance of the championship leading into
day two is Judy Porter's 12 second PR setting win in the
3,000SC (10:25.21).
Jebreh Harris of Knoxville TC currently leads on the men's
side with his win in the 800 (1:47.41) for the men's best
performance of the championship.
Based on the number of points scored the most valuable male
and female athlete of the championship will be named tonight
Currently Olympic heptathlete DeDee Nathan, Indiana Invaders,
leads with 20 points on the women's side with her wins in the
shotput and 100H. Antoine Batiste of Nashville Elite leads
the men with 14 points with second place in the 800 and third
in the 3,000SC.
TEAM MEN WOMEN TOTAL
Indiana Invaders 18 106 124
Nashville Elite 41 0 41
Maryland Elite 28 8 36
Greater Boston TC 25 10 35
Shore Athletic Club 10 10 20
Club Northwest 10 8 18
New Haven Age Group TC 0 16 16
Athenian Athletics 12 0 12
Potomac Valley TC 10 0 10
Knoxville TC 10 0 10
Indiana Racewalkers Club 8 0 8
New Jersey Striders 8 0 8
Pioneer TC 8 0 8
Miami Valley TC 6 0 6
Bryn Mawr Running Co. 0 5 5
Club Ballard 4 0 4
V-Town TC 3 0 3
With the Invaders win in the women's 4x800 relay on
friday (9:06.34) the team looks to take a shot at
breaking the world best in the distance medley relay
at tonight's session.
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.
For additional information on the Indiana Invaders, please contact Greg
Harger at 317 289-4018.
PREVIEW: USATF NATIONAL CLUB TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONSHIP
July 18, 2001
(INDIANAPOLIS) The USA National Track & Field Club Championships
start this Friday and will wrap-up on Saturday evening at the
IU Michael A. Carroll Track & Soccer Stadium in downtown
Indianapolis. Nineteen men's teams and thirteen women's teams
will contend for the team championship titles. Additionally, an
overall Men's & Women's Team Championship title will be awarded
based on a combined team scoring basis.
Maryland Elite is expected to score big points in the relays
on the men's side. They also expect a big 1-2 finish in the 400H
with favorites Omar Clinton and Justin Davis. Tennessee Elite's
Jebreh Harris will face Maryland Elite's Anthony Campbell in an
one-lap toss-up that will also include Pioneer Track Club's
Laboris Bean to contest in an evenly matched 400.
Greater Boston Track Club expects to pick up some big points
with the efforts of Joe Welch in the hammer and discus. In a
two-lap toss-up, fans should expect a fierce battle from Athenian
Athletics' Trinity Townsend and teammate Travis Gunn against
Tennessee Elite's Jebreh Harris.
Top contenders for the men's title include:
Athenian Athletics (Ypsilanti, Michigan)
Greater Boston Track Club (Boston, Massachusetts)
Indiana Invaders (Indianapolis, Invaders)
Maryland Elite (Landover, Maryland)
Pioneer Track Club (Arlington, Texas)
On the women's side, Maryland Elite looks to score 1-2-3 in the
200 with the talents of Juliet Brown, Crystal Cox, and Vieoletta
Wong. Pioneer Track Club's Alesha Peel seeks to win the 100H
against a strong field including Indiana Invaders' Le'gretta Smith
& DeDee Nathan and Maryland Elite's Crystal Cox. Shore Athletic
Club's Stacy-Ann Grant looks at a close battle for the national club
title with the Indiana Invaders' Carri Long. Grant enters the
championship with a season best of 0.01 meter over Long's best of
1.87 meters.
Top contenders for the women's title include:
Boston International (Boston, Massachusetts)
Indiana Invaders (Indianapolis, Indiana)
Maryland Elite (Landover, Maryland)
Pioneer Track Club (Arlington, Texas)
Shore Athletic Club (Cranbury, New Jersey)
In the inugural year of the club championship the event fields
will include "non-club" athletes to fill out the fields. These
additions to the championship will not factor into team scoring.
Olympic Medalist Kevin McMahon, hammer throw, and Liberia's
fastest man Sayon Cooper, 100m & 200m, are two notable additions
to the championship fields.
Club Championship Olympians:
DeDee Nathan (Indiana Invaders)
(USA - Heptathlon - '00)
Kirt Thompson (Indiana Invaders)
(TRINIDAD - Javelin Throw - '96)
Kevin McMahon (Non-Scoring - NYAC)
(USA - Hammer Throw - '96, '00)
Sayon Cooper (Non-Scoring - New Balance)
(LIBERA - 4x100 - '96, '00)
Kouty Mawenh (Non-Scoring - Unattached)
(LIBERA - 4x100 - '96, '00)
For additional information on the Indiana Invaders, please contact Greg
Harger at 317 289-4018.
INVADERS COMPLETE THE 2001 CANAM SERIES IN MONTREAL
July 12, 2001
(INDIANAPOLIS) The Indiana Invaders completed the final
meet of the CanAm Series on Tuesday July 10th in Montreal
at the McGill International. Collette Liss, a native
of Valparaiso, Ind., ran her second best ever 1500 with a second
place finish of 4:10.75. Teammate Priscilla Hein also had her
second best ever 1500 with a fifth place finish of 4:14.97.
"This was our first year of participation in the CanAm Series
and without question this was a very valuable experience for
each of our athletes regardless of the performances," said club
director Greg Harger. Added Harger, "With the performances of
Liss & Hein, Coach Buhler is now looking at the reality of our
making a run at the World Best mark for the Women's Distance
Medley Relay maybe as soon as the USATF National Club
Championships set for Indianapolis on the evening of July 21st."
CanAm IV: 2001 McGill International
http://miscott.home.att.net/canam/montreal/
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.
For additional information on the Indiana Invaders, please contact Greg
Harger at 317 289-4018.
LONG WINS JUMP-OFF AND HEADED TO WORLD UNIVERSITY GAMES
July 10, 2001
(INDIANAPOLIS) Carri Long, a native of Brazil, Ind., competed in New
London, Conneticut on July 8th in a
head-to-head match-up against Tamika Toppin to secure
the final spot in the high jump on the USA National
Team that will compete at the World University Games
in Beijing, China (Aug. 27 thru Sept. 1, 2001). Long
won the match-up with a clearance of 1.82 meters vs.
Toppin's 1.77.
Long tied Toppin for fourth at the World Trials in
Eugene at a height of 1.79 requiring an additional competition this
weekend to determine the final spot
on the World Unversity Games Team.
Long's Invaders teammate Le'gretta Smith was third in
the 400H, Jada Phelps was fourth in the long jump,
Linise Gordon was sixth in the 400H, and Lamont Dagen
was seventh in the triple jump.
Long, Smith, Phelps, Gordon, Dagen and fellow Invaders
will next compete on July 20-21 at the USA National Club Championship in
Indianapolis, Indiana.
New London, Connecticut Results:
http://www.coolrunning.com/results/01/ct/Jul8_USATFE_set1.html
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.
For further information on the Indiana Invaders, please contact Greg
Harger at 317 289-4018.
INVADERS' LISS TAKES TOP HONORS IN MAINE
July 8, 2001
(INDIANAPOLIS) Collette Liss lead the Invaders with a win
in the 1500 (4:09.10) at the New Balance Maine Distance
Festival. This distance oriented meet was contested on
the campus of Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine.
In addition to lowering her 1500 PR by two seconds Liss
received "Women's Athlete of the Meet" honors with her
exciting two hundreths of a second win over Mary Jane
Harrelson.
Liss is expected to compete over 1500 meters again on Tuesday
in the final competition of the CanAm series.
CanAm Series Results:
http://miscott.home.att.net/canam/results/
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.
For further information on the Indiana Invaders, please contact Greg
Harger at 317 289-4018.
FIVE INVADERS TO COMPETE IN CONNETICUT
JUMP-OFF SCHEDULED TO MAKE THE USA NATIONAL TEAM
July 8, 2001
(INDIANAPOLIS) Invaders' Carri Long, a native of Brazil,
Ind., will compete in a tie-breaker jump off for a spot
on the USA National Team for the World University Games
this afternoon at Conneticut College in New London, CT.
Today's meet is part of USATF's Summer Classic series of
high level competitions for athletes in selected events
preparing for the World Championships and the World
University Games.
Long tied Tamika Toppin for fourth place at the World
Trials in Eugene at a height of 1.79 requiring an
additional competition to determine the final spot on
the World Unversity Games Team.
Long is joined at this USATF Invitational competition by
teammates Lamont Dagen (TJ), Linise Gordon (400H),
Jada Phelps (LJ), and Le'gretta Smith (400H). In addition
to Long's top ten performance at the World Trials, 2001
Ball State graduate Jada Phelps finished eighth in the Long
Jump.
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.
For further information on the Indiana Invaders, please contact Greg
Harger at 317 289-4018.
TWENTY FOUR CLUBS AND COUNTING-
USA NATIONAL TRACK & FIELD CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS
July 4, 2001
(INDIANAPOLIS) Twenty Four clubs have indicated their
intent to compete at the first annual USA National Track &
Field Club Championship. Track and field fans will have an
opportunity to see their first national track and field club
competition in this break-through event. As of 12pm July
4th 2001, registered clubs have indicated that they are bringing
186 athletes, representing a club membership base of over
2800, and representing communities from 15 states.
The Indiana Invaders will host the Club Championship at the
IU Michael A. Carroll Track & Soccer Stadium in downtown
Indianapolis on July 19-21, 2001.
"The Invaders are honored to host this event," said Invaders'
Head Coach Chris Buhler, "This is an additional opportunity
that provides enthusiasm for the club system. We hope this
encourages the formation of new clubs and inspires others to
find a way to win a national title for their community."
"In our third season as a club we're excited about the
unique opportunity that initiatives directed by USATF
CEO, Craig Masback, and new USATF President, Bill Roe,
have fostered.," said Club Director Greg Harger.
Added Harger, "This event is a natural event for our club
within the context of our development and goals. With four
world records, one world best, and 7 of the best marks on
American soil set in the stadium, our club is eager to make
this facility available to clubs from throughout the country
by facilitating a team based event for the sports fans in
the Indianapolis community. The Invaders are truly honored
to host this club championship and we look to provide a warm
welcome to other club's setting their sights on winning a
national title in Indianapolis this July."
The current list of clubs include: New York Elite Track Club,
New Jersey Striders, Greater Boston Track Club, CASA Track Club
(IL), Speed By Choice (TX), Boulder Road Runners (CO), Maryland
Elite, Quiet Fire (CA), Illinois Stealth Bombers, First Step
Track Club (FL), Shore Athletic Club (NJ), Miami Valley TC (OH),
Potomac Valley Track Club (DE), Alexanders Light'n Express (CA),
FILA Track West(CA), Rocky River Track Club (OH), Speed Elite
(SC), Pioneer Track Club (TX), Central Park Track Club (NY),
The Dayton Gems-Elite (OH), Club Northwest (WA), Bryn Mawr
Running Co. (PA), Tennessee Elite Track Club (TN.) and the
Indiana Invaders.
The deadline for additional clubs to indicate their intent to
compete for and to win the first annual USA Track & Field Club
Championsip title is midnight(PST) July 8th. July 8th
is also the deadline to enter club athletes into the championship.
The Indiana Invaders, a not-for-profit organization founded in 1998,
present an innovative approach to track & field by providing
a resident-based, athlete-centered support system unique to the
sport in the United States.
For further information on the Indiana Invaders, please contact Greg
Harger at 317 289-4018.
INVADERS TAKE TO THE CANAM SERIES
July 4, 2001
(INDIANAPOLIS) Track fans in the northeastern United States
saw the middle distance talent of the Invaders in action
on June 30th at the New Balance CanAm Boston I Elite Meet
in Waltham, Massachusetts. Priscila Hein and Hope Sanders,
a native of Indianapolis, placed second (2:05.09) and sixth
(2:09.78) respectively in the 800.
Hein and Sanders competed at the New Balance CanAm Boston
II Elite Meet then went on to compete July 3rd at Governor
Dummer Academy in Byfield, Massachusetts. Hein finished
third in the 3,000 with a 9:32.57 performance. Sanders
finished seventh with her 2:07.87 mark in the 800.
Taking to the track on July 7th, Collette Liss, a native of
Valparaiso, Ind., will join Hein in the 1500. Sanders will
also see action in the 800. They will be
competing at the New Balance Maine Distance Festival at
Bowdoin College in Brunswick, ME.
On July 10th, the McGill International Distance Classic will
see Hein and Sanders in the 800, Kelly French in the 1500,
and Judy Porter, and Liss in the 5,000. Rick Sluder, a native of
Fairbanks, Ind., will be competing in the men's 5,000. This
fourth meet of the CanAm Series will be contested at McGill
University in Montreal, Quebec.
CanAm Series Results:
http://miscott.home.att.net/canam/results/
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.
For further information on the Indiana Invaders, please contact Greg
Harger at 317 289-4018.
