INDIANA INVADERS TO COMPETE AT USATF CROSS COUNTRY NATIONALS
November 28, 2001
(INDIANAPOLIS) The Indiana Invaders men's and women's cross country
teams will compete at the 2001 Fall USATF National Cross Country
Championships on December 1st in Mobile, Alabama. The meet will be
held at the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park. This is the Invaders
third year of fielding full squads since being founded in 1998.
In 2000, in the field of the country's top 15 teams the Boston Athletic
Association (90 pts.) won the women's race thirteen points ahead of the
Indiana Invaders (103 pts.) followed by Fila Track West (117 pts.) in
third, Reebok Boston (128 pts.) in fourth and the Greater Lowell Road
Runners (142 pts.) in 5th. The Invaders look to finally shed the
"national runners-up" label after finishing second in 1999 & 2000.
Collette Liss, Priscilla Hein, Kelly French, Judy Porter, Keisha Banks,
Susie Motl and Kathy Kadziolka will represent the Invaders in the
women's race.
In the men's 2000 championship the Wisconsin Runner Racing
Team (60 pts.) won the men's championship race in the narrowest
of victories over the Hanson's Running Shop (61 pts), the NIKE Farm
Team (98 pts) finished third followed by Reebok Boston (162 pts) in
fourth, and the Indiana Invaders (180 pts) rounding out the top 5
teams in the field of 27. The Invaders look to continue the
improvement
of 2000 when they moved up three places from 8th in 1999 to 5th last
year. Members of the Invaders men's team to compete in the meet are
Rick Sluder, Todd Moroney, Gareth Wilford, Phil Hudnall, Eddie Nehus,
and Jason Bialka.
The Battleship Park championship course is a spectator-friendly,
European-style 2,000-meter loop grass course.
The meet's team champions will receive the Fred Wilt Traveling Trophy,
an award presented in memory of Fred Wilt, a former NCAA Cross Country
Champion while at Indiana University, Head Women's Track and Cross
Country Coach at Purdue University and member of the National Track &
Field Hall of Fame.
For additional information on the Indiana Invaders, please contact Greg
Harger at 317 289-4018.
INVADERS' PRE-USATF CLUB CC NATIONALS PROSPECTUS
November 24, 2001
WOMEN:
Kathy "Freshman" Kadziolka - First cross country season
as a member of the Invaders. Ran sixth for the Invaders in her
first cross country outing of the season at the Boston Mayor's Cup
on October 28th. Currently completing her degree in education at
Ball State University, she resumed full training with the Invaders
several weeks later than the rest of her teammates after a long final
collegiate season highlighted by her Drake Relays 10,000 meter
victory and her first USATF nationals appearance (Steeple).
Coach Chris Buhler commented "This course offers challenges that
definitely favor Kathy's strengths. Her experience with the steeple
this past track season is a huge advantage in that she has gained a lot
of strength in dealing with variations and interuptions that will face
the runners on this year's course. She's done very well in practice
with
the race course simulation sessions."
Susie "Doc" Motl - First cross country season as a member of the
Invaders. Currently completing her residency in pharmacology.
Ran fourth for the Invaders in her first cross country
outing of the season at the Genesee Valley Harriers' Invitational
on October 7th and she ran 5th for the team at the Boston Mayor's
Cup on October 28th.
"Motl has the build and running mechanics such that she is a
good strength runner on a course that will definitely not favor the
track-type cross country runner what with its soft and challenging
footing and the additional challenges designed into the course,"
offered Coach Buhler.
Keisha "Smooth" Banks - First cross country season as a member
of the Invaders. Currently completing her masters degree in Public
Health at Indiana University. A 800/1500 runner rapidly learning
to love cross country, she ran sixth for the Invaders in her first cross
country outing of the season at the Genesee Valley Harriers'
Invitational on October 7th and she ran 4th for the team at the Boston
Mayor's Cup on October 28th.
"Very strong. Nothing but impressed with her. She'll be well
rested and she'll do a hell of a job," said Coach Buhler.
Judy Porter - Scoring member of the 1999 & 2000 National
Runners-Up Invaders Teams. Looking to continue steady improvement
in cross country after having recorded personal best marks
at every distance from 1500 through 10,000 meters on the track
over the previous two seasons including a first time USATF national
championship appearance in the Steeple this year. A consistant big
meet performer in cross country with a 5th and 4th runner
performance for the Invaders the previous two years.
"Same as with Kadziolka, Porter picked up tremendous strength
from her first steeple season on the track. I'm very
happy with her practices over the past three weeks. Add in
her experience from the past two nationals and we are certain
to see a best effort on this deceptively challenging course."
commented Coach Buhler.
Kelly French - One third of a strong three punch team attack
for the Invaders, Kelly is coming off of a break-through season
where she ran 16:16 for 5,000 meters and most recently dropped
her 1500 PR by 4 seconds to 4:21. Kelly is currently pursuing a
masters degree in Wellness and Gerentology at Ball State University.
She ran third for the Invaders in her first cross country outing of the
season at the Genesee Valley Harriers' Invitational on October 7th and
she ran 2nd for the team at the Boston Mayor's Cup on October 28th.
"French has had to make a lot of sacrifices to compete with the team
this year. With those sacrifices and her personality we will have in
French one of our strongest competitive athletes," said Coach Buhler.
Priscilla Hein - Improved 6 places to 5th at Fall Cross
Country Nationals last year in her first season with the Invaders,
Priscilla has put herself in position to challenge for the individual
title. With just 13 months in Indiana she has finished 10th at the
USA World Cross Country Trials ('01) and run in the USATF finals
at the Mile indoors ('01) and the 1500 outdoors ('01) and most
recently run one of the fastest times ever at Boston's famed Franklin
Park CC course in winning the Boston Mayor's Cup title. She ran
second for the Invaders in her first cross country outing of the
season at the Genesee Valley Harriers' Invitational on October 7th and
she ran 1st for the team at the Boston Mayor's Cup on October 28th.
"She is really looking good in practice and has gained great strength
this fall. I look for a break-through cross country race for this
"middle-distance" athlete. She's right on track. If not, she's
ahead of pace and will have a fantastic cross country race. She'll
be in contention to make the world cross country team by February's
World Cross Country Trials with the progress she's made," offered
Coach Buhler
Collette Liss - The 1999 USA Fall Cross Country Individual
Champion. Collette is rounding into form after back-to-back "PR
Seasons" where most recently she lowered her PR's at 800, 1500,
and 3,000 meters and made her second consecutive USA World Cross
Country Team and won two USATF National titles (Indoor Mile and 5k
Road) She'll be a favorite for the individual title looking to win her
2nd US Fall Cross Country National Title in three years. She ran
a course record for the Invaders in her first cross country outing
of the season at the Genesee Valley Harriers' Invitational on October
7th and she finished 4th at the USA National Road 10K Championships
held on November 3rd.
"Liss knows the importance of this race and is a a very strong athlete.
She has adapted nicely to the race simulation workouts. She'll run
extremely well in Mobile. She's learned a lot in the past 3-4 weeks
of practice as we've addressed the specific terrain and challenges
presented by this race course. She'll be upfront in the race," said
Coach Buhler.
Women's Team:
October 28th the Invaders narrowly edged the defending national
champion BAA along with last year's 4th & 5th place teams (Reebok
Boston and The Greater Lowell Road Runners). Will run their top
seven for the first time this season in the same race. Expect two
athletes in Hein & Liss that should challenge for individual honors
and bring their greatest depth to this championship with French
expecting a top 15 finish and four athletes ready for a top 25 finish
with Banks, Motl, Porter, and Kadziolka all capable of running in the
4 and 5 spots for the Invaders. In their brief 3 year existance as a
team, finished as runners-up in 1999 & 2000.
Coach Buhler said "There is no reason to accept anything less than
total victory and domination. It's put a lot of pressure on the women,
but I want a team cross country title for the Invaders. We have a full
complement to get the job done. My mindset has not changed from July.
Anything less than total domination of the race is unacceptable.
The women will win and will dominate."
MEN:
Jason "Tails" Bialka - Newest Member of the Invaders. A 2-time
NCAA Cross Country Championship qualifier from Eastern Illinois
University. Fresh off his final collegiate season highlighted by
an Ohio Valley Conference Cross Country title and a 5th place
finish in the NCAA Regional. A solid cross country runner with
good speed (1:51/3:46). Expected to score for the Invaders in
his first meet as an Invader.
Coach Buhler commented, "I'm sure he's not happy with his NCAA
performance. I'm sure he'll get back into a competitive situation.
I look for a good race from Jason."
Eddie "Sleeper" Nehus - Coach Buhler's "find-of-the-season".
An 800 meter runner, with a very modest cross country
background, that has shown great progress in his first few
months of fall training in Indy after completing his collegiate
career at Cedarville University. Ran as the Invaders 5th
runner at the Boston Mayors Cup on October 28th. May
surprise a few people in his first USATF Fall Cross Country
meet.
"I'm looking at Eddie and I'm pleased with how much he's getting done
this year. This trip will be a reward for him. He'll run well for a
800 guy," offered Coach Buhler.
Phil "Tatoo" Hudnall - Recent addition to the Invaders' roster. A
sub-30 minute 10K athlete in the initial stages of ultimately
preparing for the marathon. Ran as the Invaders 4th runner at
the Boston Mayors Cup on October 28th. Expected to be a key to the
Invaders team score in Mobile.
"Hudnall is a strong and well conditioned distance athlete. He's had
a good fall prep season preparing for this championship. He'll
will give us his best performance this fall," said Coach Buhler.
Gareth Wilford - A scoring member of the 2000 5th place Invaders
team. Coming off of a cautious fall preparation phase where he has
worked carefully to overcome a mysterious hamstring injury.
Appears well on his way to a return to the 23:18 8K fitness level
he exhibited in March. Ran as the Invaders 3rd runner at
the Boston Mayors Cup on October 28th.
"Gareth has made very good progress after an injury last season.
In a pure strength situation as this course presents itself, the
race plays into Wilford's hands. Gareth has demonstrated in the last
month that he'll be very solid for us on Championship day,"
commented Coach Buhler.
Todd Moroney - Much improved after a "break-through" season in
his initial year with the Invaders. An 8:46 steepler in 2000, Todd is
expected to race much stronger in his third USA Fall Cross Country
Nationals after taking a break earlier in the 2001 track season.
A scoring member of the 5th place 2000 team. Ran as the Invaders
2nd runner at the Boston Mayors Cup on October 28th.
"Steepler. This race plays straight into his hands with the terrain
and challenges offered. He's locked, loaded, and ready to go," said
Coach Buhler.
Rick Sluder - Leader of the team and expected to be a factor
at the front of the field. Last year's 6th place finisher at Fall USA
Cross Country Nationals after having "taken it to the field" at the
outset of the race. Will challenge the field again in Mobile for the
individual title. He ran a course record for the Invaders in his
first cross country outing of the season at the Genesee Valley
Harriers' Invitational on October 7th and ran as the Invaders
first runner at the Boston Mayors Cup on October 28th.
"Excellent with variations in course demands, a true cross
country runner. I'm extremely pleased with Sluder. His focus is
better than it has ever been. He will be building on last year's
race. He'll be upfront early, middle, and late in this race,"
offered Coach Buhler.
Men's Team: 2001 has been a season with a delayed start and emphasis
relative to the 2000 season. The addition of Jason Bialka
gives the Invaders a stronger over-all top 5 than they had in
2000. October 28th the Invaders finished 5th at the Boston
Mayor's Cup in their first outing as a team in 2001. The
championship will be the first joint outing for their new
Top 5 for this season. Expect one athlete in Rick Sluder that
should challenge for individual honors and veteran
experience and leadership from Moroney and Wilford to bring
their best outing at USA Fall Cross Country Nationals in the brief
3 years of their existance as a team.
Coach Buhler said, "We will improve on our fifth place finish of
last year. I expect our men to perform and meet our expectation of
a better team performance. We have very lofty expectations for the
future and with additional athletes that we'll add in the coming
months we will be a team to contend with very soon."
For additional information on the Indiana Invaders, please contact Greg
Harger at 317 289-4018.
INVADERS' COLLETTE LISS FOURTH AT USA 10K NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
November 3, 2001
(INDIANAPOLIS) Invaders' Collette Liss placed fourth with a time
of 33:24 at the USA 10K National Championship as part of the 14th
Annual Food World Senior Bowl Charity Run in Mobile, Alabama.
U.S. Olympian, Elva Dryer won the 10K championship successfully
defending her 2000 race title with a time of 32:43.
Liss raced with the lead pack throughout most of the race. Her mile
splits were 5:09.9, 5:15, 5:21, 5:32, 5:31, and 5:24.
"For Liss this puts her right on schedule for USATF Cross Country
Club Nationals and then USA World Cross Country Trials in February
as she heads into the outdoor track season next year," said coach
Chris Buhler.
Liss will now turn her attention to a return trip to Mobile, Alabama
on December 1st where she'll be joining her teammates in a major
effort to improve on their back-to-back national runners-up team
finishes at USATF Cross Country Club Nationals to be held in
Battleship Park.
The Food World Senior Bowl Charity Run
http://www.seniorbowl.com
For additional information on the Indiana Invaders, please contact Greg
Harger at 317 289-4018.
INVADERS' COLLETTE LISS HEADED TO USA 10K NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
November 1, 2001
(INDIANAPOLIS) Invaders' Collette Liss will face an elite field in the
14th Annual Food World Senior Bowl Charity Run in Mobile, Alabama on
November 3rd. The Senior Bowl race also serves as the USATF National
10K Road Championship for 2001. Liss will go against 2000 U.S. Olympians
Elva Dryer and Jennifer Rhines in the women's 10K race.
Liss enters the race as the 2001 USATF 5K Road Champion with a victory
at the Freihofer's Run For Women in early June. Other national
championships for Liss include the 2001 U.S. Indoor Mile title and
the 1999 USATF Fall Cross Country title.
Invaders' Coach Chris Buhler said, "This is something that is part of
the bigger picture for the year in Collette's strength development.
This race will test her strength coming out of fall training. She can
then go into the spring season with the intent to run a very fast 10K.
The race this weekend is not a focal point rather another step in her
development and as part of preparing to make the World Cross Country Team."
The Food World Senior Bowl Charity Run
http://www.seniorbowl.com
For additional information on the Indiana Invaders, please contact Greg
Harger at 317 289-4018.
