INVADERS' HEIN TO COMPETE AT USA 5K NATIONAL ROAD CHAMPIONSHIP

May 30, 2002
(INDIANAPOLIS) Invaders' Priscilla Hein will hit the roads this weekend at the USA 5K National Road Championship as part of the Freihofer's Run for Women in Albany, New York on June 1, 2002.

Hein, competing in her first ever road championship, also ran in her first ever Grand Prix I track meet last weekend where she had a 12 second improvement on her previous best in the 3,000.

Invaders' Team Director Greg Harger said, "Hein will have a brief break from competition on the track this weekend with this opportunity to race in a highly competive road race. After this road outing, her focus will shift to the 1500 at nationals in Palo Alto."

The championship hosted by Freihofer's, a leading baker of wholesome products, has been a 24-year old tradition that has grown to become one of the country's largest all-female events. Runners World magazine has referred to Freihofer's as "the fastest 5K in the country" - confirmed by Lynn Jennings' American record for a women-only race.

"Without a doubt, this is the best field ever assembled in the event's 24-year history," said George Regan, event director for the Freihofer's Run for Women, a race which will host its 22nd USA Women's Championships since 1979. Olympians Marla Runyon, Colleen De Reuck, Anne Marie Lauck, and Libbie Hickman are scheduled to compete.

In Albany, New York, WNYT-13, an NBC affiliate, will air a half-hour segment on the race from 7:30-8 p.m. on June 1. The show will also be shown again on Public Access Channel 18 June 5 and 6 at 7 p.m.

USA 5K National Road Championship:
http://www.freihofersrun.com/

OTHER INVADERS IN ACTION:
Shannon Gallagher will compete in the pole vault along with teammate Linise Gordon competing in the 400H at the USATF Georgia Championship hosted by Quicksilver Track Club on June 1st in Atlanta, Georgia.

USATF Georgia Championship:
http://www.quicksilvertrackclub.com/runquick_open.html

UPCOMING CHAMPIONSHIPS:
The Invaders are focused on peaking for the USATF National Championships in Palo Alto, California (June 19-23) and for the second edition of the USA National Club Track & Field Championships in Bloomington, Indiana on July 20th.

USATF National Championships:
http://www.ustfnationals.org/
 
For additional information on the Indiana Invaders, please contact Greg Harger at 317 289-4018.

INVADERS' HEIN POSTS 3,000 BEST AT PREFONTAINE CLASSIC

May 28, 2002
(INDIANAPOLIS) Invaders' Priscilla Hein, in setting a personal best time of 9:17.61 in the 3,000, finished 11th at the NIKE Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon on Sunday, May 26. Olympian Marla Runyon, in successfully defending her 3,000 title, edged out Sonia O'Sullivan, of Ireland, 8:39.36 to 8:39.88.

Hein, competing in her first ever Grand Prix I track meet, turned in a 12 second improvement on her previous best from the recent indoor season. Hein's performance at the Pre Classic bumps her into the top 15 on the US list for the year.

Invaders' Team Director Greg Harger said, "This weekend's race was another tremendous experience for Hein what with the experienced athletes from Ireland, Ethiopia, Canada, Great Britian, and Poland in the race." Harger added, "Hein is putting the pieces together for racing on the track at 3,000 and 5,000 meters. It has been no surprise for her that this environment is different from the 800 and 1500 with which she is most comfortable from her recent past. After a race on the roads next weekend she'll return to familiar territory in the 1500 for US Nationals before returning to a couple more likely opportunities at longer distances. She has ventured into these longer races with a great attitude about the experience setting her up for future championship opportunities. Big dividends will be realized in the near future."

Hein will next compete at the USA 5K National Road Championship as part of the Freihofer's Run for Women in Albany, New York on June 1, 2002.

OTHER INVADERS IN ACTION OVER THE WEEKEND:
Hein's teammate Shannon Gallagher, performed well in Jonesboro, Arkansas at a pole vault only event and cleared a season's best 4.04 to take first place.

UP NEXT FOR THE INVADERS:
Gallagher will next compete June 1st, along with teammate Linise Gordon competing in the 400H at the USATF Georgia Championship hosted by Quicksilver Track Club in Atlanta, Georgia.

The rest of the Invaders roster is scheduled to compete at the Midwest Distance Solution, presented by Hansons Running Shops and hosted by Hillsdale College on June 6th and at the Indiana Association of USATF Championships at Terre Haute, Indiana on June 9th.

Prefontaine Classic
http://www.preclassic.com

Freihofer's Run for Women
http://www.freihofersrun.com/

For additional information on the Indiana Invaders, please contact Greg Harger at 317 289-4018.

INVADERS' PRISCILLA HEIN AT PREFONTAINE CLASSIC

May 26, 2002
(INDIANAPOLIS) Invaders' Priscilla Hein, ranked in the top 20 in both the 800 and 1500 in 2001, will compete in a highly competitive 3,000 race at the 28th annual NIKE Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon on Sunday, May 26. This is the second event on USATF's 2002 Outdoor Golden Spike Tour and is a IAAF Grand Prix I meet.

Hein's race will feature Canadian record holder Courtney Babcock, Olympian Marla Runyan as the defending champion, and Sonia O'Sullivan of Ireland as the Hayward Field and meet record holder.

Hein returns to Oregon after finishing 12th last weekend in the 5,000 (16:12.38) at the adidas Oregon Track Classic in Portland, Oregon on Saturday May 18th.

Coach Greg Harger said, "Hein has had a great year so far in her first venture into racing longer distance races. It is no surprise that there has been some inconsistency both within the races and between races but we are seeing a season of experiences for her that will ensure a long term presence at the highest levels of racing. This weekend's race is another tremendous experience and opportunity that she will profit from as an athlete as she is in the final steps of stepping permanently up to the next level at the 3/5K distance."

In competition last weekend, the Invaders were led by Le'gretta Smith and Eddie Nehus both winning their events of the 400 (56.15) and the 800 (1:53.81), respectively at the Butler Last Chance meet.

Linise Gordon, in her first outing in the heptathlon, finished 6th with 5112 points (100H - 13.66; HJ - 1.51; SP - 10.63; 200 -24.87; LJ - 5.44; JT - 36.91; 800 - 2:30.08) at the Georgia Tech Invitational in Atlanta, Georgia. Gordon, an accomplished hurdler from Ball State University, finished fourth at the Drake Relays this season in the 400H and went on to win the 400H at the Billy Hayes Invitational.

Coach Aron McGuire said, "Gordon had a great first experience with the heptathlon. Her 400m hurdle training is ideal for a multi-event athlete. She is excited about spending the summer working on her jumps and throws in preparation for the heptathlon in 2003." Gordon follows in a similar path as her teammate Olympian DeDee Nathan, the defending two-time national heptathlon champion, and American Record Holder in the pentathlon. Nathan also transitioned from the 400 hurdles to the heptathlon.

The Prefontaine Classic will be televised on ESPN2 from 11 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Eastern Time on May 26th, 2002.

Prefontaine Classic
http://www.preclassic.com

For additional information on the Indiana Invaders, please contact Greg Harger at 317 289-4018.

INVADERS RELEASE DETAILS ON 2004 USA WORLD CROSS COUNTRY TRIALS

May 22, 2002
(INDIANAPOLIS) Complete details on the 2004 USA World Cross Country Trials, hosted by the Indiana Invaders, on February 7-8, 2004 are now available on the Invaders' website. The international style course, within walking distance of downtown Indianapolis, will feature America's top distance athletes, competing for spots on the USA National Team.

Along with the individual competition, team scoring will be announced every 1K using ChampionChip technology - the world's leading timing technology for active sports events. In addition to the team scoring in the Elite Open Races, team scoring will also be used in the Junior and Masters races. A Community Race & Fun Run will be available to the general public.

The course will feature a distinct layout with barriers, mud, and various other challenges in addition to small hills on the other wise flat course. Spectators will have an excellent view of the dramatic cross country battle in its entirety from the grass river embankments.

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.

INVADERS TO HOST USA TRACK & FIELD NATIONAL CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS

May 15, 2002
(INDIANAPOLIS) The Indiana Invaders will host the second annual USA National Track & Field Club Championship at the Billy Hayes Track in the Haugh Track and Field Complex in Bloomington, Indiana on July 20, 2002. Track and field fans will have an opportunity to see this groundbreaking event that features competition for national team championship titles.

The inaugural year of the championship showed the potential in true team competition with an exciting finale of Nashville Elite edging Maryland Elite's 4x400 relay by 0.10 seconds, in the final event, to win the men's team title. Nashville edged Maryland by 4 points, 92 to 88.

The men's champions, Nashville Elite, were among four clubs that were founded in 2001 because of the opportunity to compete in a team championship. The Indiana Invaders, founded in 1998, won the Club Championship with a total of 252 points along with women's team title.

The inaugural championship brought together 21 clubs representing a membership base of over 12,000 from communities in 16 states.

Team Director Greg Harger said, "We look forward to taking another modest step forward in the development of this event." Added Harger, "This is a critical element of any plan to grow a club system in this country and it is an honor for us to host this event again."

The Haugh Track and Field Complex has 3,100 permanent seats, with additional lawn seating, and was the site for the 1997 NCAA Division I Championships.

The Indiana Invaders will host the USA National Track & Field Club Championships again in 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.

INVADERS' OLYMPIC TRIO HEADLINE BILLY HAYES INVITATIONAL

May 11, 2002
(INDIANAPOLIS) The Indiana Invaders led by Olympians DeDee Nathan, Kirt Thompson, and Steve Ercegovac won six events at the Billy Hayes Invitational, hosted by Indiana University on Saturday, May 11th. Nathan, the defending two-time national heptathlon champion, had a top three finish in four of five events.

Nathan won the long jump (6.25), finished second in both the javelin (40.76) and shot put (14.57), placed third in the 100H (13.66), and finished ninth in the 200 (24.93).

Thompson struggled with his form in winning the javelin (68.35) while Ercegovac showed a hint of his past form in winning the shot put (18.77).

Priscilla Hein, the reigning USATF Fall National Cross Country Champion, won the 1500 (4:20.14) by a comfortable margin of 10 seconds in her tune-up outing before competing in two Grand Prix meets and one USATF road national championship. Hein will compete in the adidas Oregon Track Classic 5,000, the Prefontaine Classic 3,000, and the 24th Freihofer's Run for Women-5K in the coming 3 weekends.

Carri Long, a member of the US National Team at the 2001 World University Games, won the high jump (1.76).

Linise Gordon, a 2001 graduate of Ball State University, won the 400H (58.71).

Le'gretta Smith was second in the 100 hurdles (13.49) and third in the 400 (55.19).

Jada Phelps, in her second 100 meter race in 4 years, lowered her PR set last weekend with a third place finish in the 100 with a time of 11.87. Phelps was also fourth in the long jump (5.94).

Billy Hayes Invitational - Results:
http://www.indiana.edu/~athlweb/graphic/sports/m-track/mtrresults/01-02/mtrr05-11-02.html

For additional information on the Indiana Invaders, please contact Greg Harger at 317 289-4018.

INDIANA INVADERS HEADED TO BILLY HAYES INVITATIONAL

May 8, 2002
(INDIANAPOLIS) The Indiana Invaders are headed to the Billy Hayes Invitational, hosted by Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana on Saturday, May 11th. The 18 Invaders scheduled to compete are led by the Olympic trio of DeDee Nathan, Kirt Thompson, Steve Ercegovac and reigning USATF Fall National Cross Country Champion, Priscilla Hein.

Nathan, the defending two-time national heptathlon champion, is scheduled to contest the 200, 100H, long jump, javelin throw, and shot put as she begins preparations to defend her title at USA Outdoor Nationals in late June.

Olympians Thompson and Ercegovac will compete in the javelin and shot put, respectively. Hein will race in her first 1500 of the season as she tunes up for her scheduled appearances in two IAAF Grand Prix meets and one national road championship in the following 4 weeks.

Hein is joined in the 1500 by teammate Keisha Banks, a member of the Invaders' 2001 National Cross Country Championship Team.

Marc Dzradosi, the 2002 Drake Relays Triple Jump Champion, will long jump and triple jump. Carri Long, a member of the US National Team at the 2001 World University Games, will high jump.

Hurdlers Le'gretta Smith and Linise Gordon will compete in the 100H. Smith also races in the 200 and 400. Gordon will also see action in the 400H.

Also seeing action this weekend are: Jada Phelps (long jump, 100, 200), Toyinda Wilson (hammer throw), Shannon Gallagher (pole vault), Paula Serrano (pole vault), Pristina Jones (long jump), Tameka Borders (100), Charlie Smith (200), Jeff Minks (800), Eddie Nehus (800), and Paul Howarth (3,000).

With the USA National Track & Field Club Championships just two months away the Invaders, intent on defending their women's team title, will field a women's 4x100 relay. The second annual Club Championships are on July 20th, 2002. Online registration and event details for the championship will become available next week.

Billy Hayes Invitational:
http://www.indiana.edu/~athlweb/graphic/sports/m-track.html

For additional information on the Indiana Invaders, please contact Greg Harger at 317 289-4018.

INVADERS LED BY SMITH, GORDON, & NATHAN AT BUTLER TWILIGHT

May 6, 2002
(INDIANAPOLIS) Le'gretta Smith, Linise Gordon, and Olympic Heptathlete DeDee Nathan, lead the Invaders at the Butler Twilight Meet on Saturday, May 4th, 2002. Smith and Gordon went 1-2 in the 400H with times of 58.71 and 59.35, respectively. In the 100H, Nathan's 13.64 second effort earned 2nd place and was followed closely by Smith (13.74 sec) and Gordon (14.21 sec) respectively.

In addition to the hurdles, Gordon was very busy as she competed in the long jump, high jump, and javelin as she considers possibilities in the heptathlon in her future.

In early preparation for the USA National Track & Field Club Championships on July 20th, the Invaders fielded a 4x100 relay of Pristina Jones, Nathan, Gordon, and Jada Phelps to finish third with a time of 46.44.

Coach Aron McGuire said, "It was a good outing today. The team had some fumbles in their hand-offs but that was expected. The team is just now preparing for the relays at the National Club Championships. We've got 6 strong female sprinters that we can rotate in and out of the 4x100, 4x400, and SMR at the Championships."

Phelps placed second in the long jump by .01 meters with a mark of 6.00. Phelps set a PR in the 100 with her 11.98 second effort, an event she last ran over 4 years ago. Shannon Gallagher finished second in the pole vault (3.81). Eddie Nehus was runner-up in the 800 (1:51.89) with teammate Jeff Minks in sixth (1:53.28).

The Invaders will next compete at the Billy Hayes Invitational in Bloomington, Indiana on May 11th, 2002.

Butler Twilight - Meet Results:
http://butlersports.fansonly.com/sports/c-track/stats/050502aaa.html

For additional information on the Indiana Invaders, please contact Greg Harger at 317 289-4018.

INDIANA INVADERS AT BUTLER TWILIGHT MEET

May 1, 2002
(INDIANAPOLIS) The Indiana Invaders, after competing last weekend at the Drake Relays, will compete in downtown Indianapolis at the Butler Twilight Meet hosted by Butler University on Saturday, May 4th, 2002. The Invaders' contingent is led by Olympians Kirt Thompson and DeDee Nathan.

Thompson, coming off his Drake Relays win in the javelin, will be accompanied by Nathan in javelin competition. Nathan, the American Record Holder in the pentathlon, will likely see action in the 200, 100H, and long jump as she begins preparations to defend her national heptathlon title at USA Outdoor Nationals in June. Nathan finished second in the long jump at the Drake Relays in her initial outdoor meet of the 2002 season.

Nathan's teammate, Linise Gordon, will compete in six events including the 200, 100H, 400H, high jump, long jump, and javelin. Coach Aron McGuire said, "Gordon is testing the waters this weekend to see if competition in the multi-events might be in her future. As a national qualifier in the 400H in 2001, Gordon has the potential to follow a path similar to Nathan's, who also transitioned from the 400 hurdles to the heptathlon." Gordon finished fourth at the Drake Relays in the 400H last weekend.

In the sprint/middle distance events, Eddie Nehus and Jeff Minks will both race the 400 and 800. Le'gretta Smith is set to contest the 100H, 400H and the 200. Long Jumpers, Jada Phelps and Pristina Jones along with pole vaulter, Shannon Gallagher will see action in the 100. Kelly French will take to the track in the 1500 in her first action of the 2002 season.

In the field events, Phelps and Jones along with Nathan, will contest the long jump. Paula Serrano and Gallagher will pole vault.

A tentative Invaders' highlight may be an appearance by the women's 4x100 relay team, in preparation for the USA National Track & Field Club Championships on July 20th, 2002.

Upcoming Meets in Indianapolis:
May 4 - Butler Twilight
May 11 - Bulldog Qualifier
May 17 - Bulldog Last Chance


Butler Twilight - Meet Schedule:
http://butlersports.fansonly.com/sports/c-track/spec-rel/meet-schedule-2002.html

For additional information on the Indiana Invaders, please contact Greg Harger at 317 289-4018.