INDIANA INVADERS ADD SPRINTER MARY DANNER

September 30, 2002
(INDIANAPOLIS) The Indiana Invaders have added sprinter Mary Danner, a 2002 graduate of the University of Cincinnati and Walnut Hills High School (OH), to the team's roster.

Danner joins the Invaders as the 2002 Conference USA outdoor runner-up in the 400. Danner set the University of Cincinnati's records during the 2002 campaign in the indoor and outdoor 400 and as a member of the 4x400 relay. Her career best is 53.30 for 400 meters.

Coach Aron McGuire said, "Mary is exactly the type of athlete we are looking for. She has a great passion for the sport, she is excited about competing at the next level and she has the right attitude to be successful as a post-collegian."

Team Director Greg Harger said, "Danner has demonstrated potential and will have an opportunity to develop her talents in Indianapolis." Added Harger, "Danner's addition to the team will add welcomed depth and enthusiam for our growing sprint group."

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

INVADERS ADD DECATHLETE, ALEX SPRAGUE

September 26, 2002
(INDIANAPOLIS) The Indiana Invaders have added decathlete Alex Sprague, a graduate of Bowling Green State University (OH) and Defiance High School (OH), to the team's roster.

Sprague holds BGSU school records in the decathlon, heptathlon, and pentathlon in addition to holding the Mid-American Conference (MAC) record of 5467 points in the heptathlon.

Coming off injuries in 2000 and 2001, Sprague finished third at the Georgia Tech Invitational in 2002 with a career best of 7379 points. Sprague, ranked 38th in the U.S. in 1999, was third at the Sea Ray Relays that year. Sprague also won the MAC indoor heptathlon in 1999. Sprague's career best in the pentathlon is 3994 points, set in 2002.

Sprague joins Invaders' national class multi-event specialists Brendon Falconer and Jason Wilson. Falconer, who has a career best of 7950 points, and Wilson, with a career best of 7521, will work with Sprague in pursuit of the benchmark 8,000 point barrier.

The Invaders look to add one additional top ranked decathlete to the team in the near future which will round out an ideal training atmosphere for aspiring USA national team members and for future Olympic Team prospects.

Coach Aron McGuire said, "It is easy to see Sprague's potential as a athlete. He's already accomplished some great things on the track and I expect it's just the beginning. He'll have a great opportunity to develop his talent as a decathlete here in Indianapolis."

Team Director, Greg Harger added, "We are looking at a foursome in the decathlon with the talent and potential to match or surpass the results of the group we assembled 4 years ago. That group resulted in one athlete making a World Championship Team. The competitive challenge for this group of making a World or Olympic Team is a reasonable expectation of this newest class of decathletes on the Invaders roster. It is reassuring to this new group that this path is one of familiarity within our team environment."

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

INVADERS ADD SPRINT CHAMP AMBER PLOWDEN

September 24, 2002
(INDIANAPOLIS) The Indiana Invaders have added Amber Plowden, the 2001 NCAA Division II National 100 meter Champion to the team's roster. Plowden is an Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) graduate via Schenley High School (PA).

As an eight time All-American, Plowden was a dominate force in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) by winning the PSAC 100 title four consecutive years. Plowden set the IUP outdoor records in the 100, 200, and 4x100 relay while also setting the All-Time conference records in the 55 & 200 (indoor), and 100 (outdoor). Plowden was also voted the Eastern Conference Outdoor ('01 & '02) and Indoor ('00, '01, & '02) MVP. Plowden has career bests of 11.56 for 100 meters and 23.87 for 200 meters.

Plowden was a four time high school state qualifier, four time junior olympic qualifier, and four-time 100 & 200 city champion ('95-'98) while at Schenley High School.

Team Director Greg Harger said, "Plowden has improved steadily over her collegiate career and is in a position to transition into the next level as a post-collegian." Added Harger, "We are excited to add to our sprint core which has been gaining some momentum through the re-energized recruiting efforts of Coach McGuire."

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

INVADERS' SERENE ROSS FIFTH AT WORLD CUP

September 21, 2002
(INDIANAPOLIS) Invaders' Serene Ross, the 2002 USA National Champion in the javelin, scored five points for Team USA with her fifth place, 56.91 meter throw, in the javelin at the IAAF World Cup being held in Madrid, Spain. Ross was ranked fifth going into this team-scored event.

On the women's side, the U.S. finished day one of the competition in third with 60 points, Europe leads with 63 points, and Russia second with 62 points. An intense, 20-minute downpour delayed a majority of the meet for roughly 45 minutes and made for slippery conditions throughout the meet on Friday. This two day event will conclude on Saturday.

Team Director Greg Harger said, "I'm very proud of Ross' attitude toward competing in the face of conditions that were obviously not conducive to regaining her American Record." Added Harger, "It's an honor for our athletes to represent the U.S. and compete in front of such an appreciative audience in Madrid."

The IAAF World Cup features nine star-studded teams representing Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, Oceania, Great Britain, Germany, Russia, Spain, and the United States. In World Cup competition the USA Team is comprised of one athlete per event. The IAAF World Cup, held for the first time in 1977, is broadcast worldwide to an audience of over 500 million people.

9th World Cup in Athletics - Madrid 2002:
http://www.worldcup.rfea.es/9thcopaing/mainingles.html

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

INVADERS' ROSS TO COMPETE FOR USA AT WORLD CUP

September 12, 2002
(INDIANAPOLIS) Indiana Invaders' Serene Ross, the 2002 USA National Champion in the javelin, will have a final throw for the season in her bid to regain the American Record in the javelin at the 9th IAAF World Cup in Madrid, Spain on September 20th, 2002.

Ross held the American Record for approximately two months until Kim Kreiner, the 2002 USA National Runner-Up, continued this year's dual assault on the record book with a record toss in Germany. Kreiner's throw marked the sixth time this season that a new American Record has been set in the women's javelin, and the fourth time it has been set by Kreiner.

Ross, competing in her second international competition, competed on the U.S National Team in 2001 with a seventh place at the World University Games in Beijing, China. Ross set the American Record twice this year in the javelin over a three week period in route to wins at both the NCAA Championships and USA National Championships. Ross also finished third at the USA National Championships in 2001 and was 19th at the 2000 Olympic Trials.

The IAAF World Cup features nine star-studded teams representing Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, Oceania, Great Britain, Germany, Russia, Spain, and the United States. In World Cup competition the USA Team is comprised of one athlete per event. The IAAF World Cup, held for the first time in 1977, is broadcast worldwide to an audience of over 500 million people.

Team Director Greg Harger said, "This will be an excellent initial opportunity for Ross to experience the highest level of international competition in the world." Added Harger, "Certainly this appears to be just the beginning of a great international career and potentially a great opportunity for her to help bring the level of US javelin performances up to international standards."

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

INVADERS ADD TWO-TIME NAIA CHAMPION JACOB KOCZMAN

September 18, 2002
(INDIANAPOLIS) The Indiana Invaders have added two-time NAIA Champion Jacob Koczman, a graduate of Northwestern College (IA) and Urbandale High School (IA), to their team roster.

Koczman broke into the top 50 U.S. ranking for 400 meters in 2001 while setting four Northwestern College school records. Koczman played basketball for three years at Northwestern College before putting on his spikes for his first indoor track season as a senior in 2001.

It was during this 2001 indoor season that Koczman led his team to a fourth place finish at the NAIA Indoor Championships in the 4x400 relay after earning the NAIA Indoor 600 meter title. Koczman replicated this success during the outdoor season with a sixth place finish at the NAIA Outdoor Championships in the 4x400 relay and taking top honors as the 2001 NAIA Outdoor 400 meter Champion.

As a high school standout in Michigan, Koczman set the Millington High School 2-mile record. Koczman also attended Wheatridge High School in Denver, Colorado and eventually Urbandale High School in West Des Moines, Iowa where he graduated. Koczman competed at the high school state meets in both Michigan and Iowa

Koczman, who will be deferring Medical School admission in order to compete for the team, said, "With the Invaders, I'm looking forward to being in an elite-development environment where I can see what it is I'm made of and what my potential really is instead of just guessing."

Team Director Greg Harger said, "Koczman is a very exciting prospect in that he is so young in terms of total training years for his event." Added Harger, "We'll have to spend some time before we really know his event and that process is going to be OK as Jacob's response to the new training environment will determine the path we take over the coming seasons."

INVADERS ADD NCAA AND USA CHAMPION SERENE ROSS

September 15, 2002
(INDIANAPOLIS) The Indiana Invaders have added currently former American Record Holder and NCAA and USATF National Champion Serene Ross, a graduate of Purdue University and New Wilmington High School (PA), to their team roster.

Ross twice in 2002 tore up the USA javelin record book this season with her wins at the NCAA Championships and USA National Championships, within a span of three weeks.

Ross finished third at the USA National Championships in 2001 and 19th at the 2000 Olympic Trials. Ross was fourth at the NCAA Championships in 2001 and sixth in 2000. As an NCAA All-American, Ross was also the Big Ten Champion in the hammer throw in 2000.

Ross will be the third American Record Holder, or former record holder, to wear the Invaders' uniform since the formation of the club in 1998. Ross will have one final opportunity to reclaim her record as she will represent the USA at the 2002 World Cup competition later this month.

In high school, Ross competed in a number of events including the high jump, discus, and javelin. Ross completed her senior year with runner-up honors in the javelin and a third place finish in the discus at the Pennsylvania High School State Championships.

Team Director Greg Harger said, "Ross' leadership mentality in the javelin and her healthy rivalry with current record holder, Kim Kreiner, could carry her in to the medal picture in the very near future." Added Harger, "We are pleased and honored to add another class act from Purdue to our roster."

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

INVADERS ADD NCAA ALL-AMERICAN, DONNIE FELLOWS

September 12, 2002
(INDIANAPOLIS) The Indiana Invaders have added NCAA All-American distance runner Donnie Fellows, a graduate of Purdue University and Mercer Island High School (WA), to the team's roster. Fellows best performance is 29:02.85 in the 10,000 and 14:02.57 in the 5,000.

In 2002, Fellows earned All-American honors his senior year at Purdue with his 13th place finish in the 10,000 at the NCAA Division I Championships after winning the 10,000 at the Big Ten Championships. Fellows was 10th at the Big Ten Cross Country Championships in 2000.

Also in 2002, Fellows had the third fastest performance of all Big Ten athletes for the season in both the 5,000 and 10,000. Fellows set a Purdue Indoor Record at 5,000 meters and went on to set Purdue's 10,000 record during the outdoor season. Fellows was third in the 5,000 at the 2002 Mt. Sac Relays. In 2000, Fellows won the Indiana Intercollegiates Cross Country Championship.

At Mercer Island High School, located east of Seattle in the middle of Lake Washington, Fellows was a seven-time letterwinner in cross country and track. As a two-time track and one-time cross country MVP, Fellows also captained both squads as a senior.

Coach, Greg Harger said, "With the addition of Fellows, we are clearly looking at our most competitive team cross country situation at USA Cross Country Championships this fall for our men's squad. I expect that our new recruiting efforts and resources will yield roster additions in the coming weeks and months that will bolster our depth at the level of Fellow's marks or better. With the return of a healthy Sluder, Wilford, Moroney, Howarth, and Bialka gives us three "Top 20" guys from the 2000 Fall Cross Country Championships and three others capable of running at the same level this coming December."

Added Harger, "Fellows is an athlete that has an opportunity to challenge for a spot on the World Cross Country Team in the very near future. His progression through the program at Purdue was very steady and consistant from year to year such that we would expect to see continued steady improvement over the next couple of years that will present many opportunities for him at the national and international level.

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

INVADERS ADDS DECATHLETE, JASON WILSON

September 10, 2002
(INDIANAPOLIS) The Indiana Invaders have added decathlete Jason Wilson, a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi and Theodore High School (AL), to the team's roster.

Wilson, while competing for the University of Southern Mississippi, was eighth at the NCAA Division I Championships in 2000, Alabama Relays Champion ('00), Texas Relays Champion ('99), Conference USA Decathlon Champion ('98), and JUCO National Outdoor Decathlon Runner-up in 1996 while competing at Meridian Junior College.

In 1995, while attending Theodore High School, Wilson was the Alabama State High School Decathlon Champion. Wilson went on to finish third at the Dan O'Brien US National High School Decathlon Championships.

Wilson, on joining the Invaders, commented, "I think it's really great to be in a professional environment with other athletes that hold similar athletic goals. It's going to be great training wise with the other athletes heading to Indianapolis along with those already training here."

Wilson will join in training with the Invaders' Brendon Falconer, an Olympic Trials qualifier and the fourth place finisher at the 2001 USA Indoor National Championships Heptathlon, who after taking a year off from competition returns to the Invaders' roster. Additionally, one to two more national class multi-event athletes, are expected to be added to the Invaders roster in the coming fall months.

Coach Aron McGuire said, "Wilson has tremendous potential in the decathlon. He will have an opportunity to see how good he can be while re-energizing a group of national contenders of us in the men's decathlon."

Team Director, Greg Harger added, "We are looking at a new foursome assembling this fall with more talent and potential than that first assembled when the team was founded 4 years ago. That group resulted in one athlete making a World Championship Team. A World or Olympic Team is a reasonable expectation of this newest class of decathletes on the Invaders roster."

The Indiana Invaders, a not-for-profit organization provide coaching and administrative support, equipment, and sponsorship opportunities for America's elite Track and Field athletes training for national, world, and Olympic championships.

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