USA CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS OFFER COMMUNITY, YOUTH, AND MASCOT RACE
January 28, 2004
(INDIANAPOLIS) The 2004 USA Cross Country Championships and World Cross
Country Championship Team Trials, hosted by the Indiana Invaders in
downtown Indianapolis on February 7th and 8th, will offer the community
a chance to share the experience with a community cross country 4
kilometer race on the international style championship course, several
youth cross country fun runs (grades K-7) will also be offered, in
addition to a celebrity mascot cross country race.
The 4K community cross country race will be held on Sunday,
February 8th at 9:15am. The Youth Fun Runs will vary from 400 meters
to 1000 meters and are offered on Saturday, February 8th at 10:00am
just before the celebrity mascot race. The Youth Fun Run,
sponsored by the Indiana Invaders, is a free event for kids to be
conducted at 10:00 AM. There is no required registration process.
Championship races determining the US National Team for the World Cross
Country Championships, featuring America's top distance athletes, will
be held on both days following the Youth Fun Run and the Community race.
The celebrity mascot cross country race will feature local sport team
mascots including the Colts footballs, Rowdie of the Indianapolis
Indians, the Butler Bulldog, and more. The USA national champion of
mascot cross country racing will be determined on Saturday, February
7th at 10:20 am. The championship course is located at the 16th
Street & Fall Creek Park within minutes of downtown Indianapolis.
Team Director Greg Harger said, "The community race and the youth fun
run are a great opportunity for the community to come out and have fun
running a cross country race in the style of international cross country
and then they can watch America's best distance runners battle for a
berth on a World Championship Team. Indiana residents will not get a
better chance this year to see Olympians and Future Olympians competing
in our sport under Championship conditions." Harger added, "The mascot
race should be entertaining for the kids and locals as we have had a bit
of fun trash talk and competitive speculation already circling the event
regarding those mascots invited but unable to make the starting line and
those that may or may not be equipped for the conditions."
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.
INDIANA INVADERS HIT NATIONAL QUALIFYING MARKS AT PURDUE INVITATIONAL
January 11, 2004
(INDIANAPOLIS) Indiana Invaders' Zack Riley, Carri Long, and
Francesca Green hit national qualifying marks for the 2004
USA Indoor Championships in the weight throw, high jump, and
long jump, respectively, at the Purdue Invitational, in West
Lafayette Indiana on January 17, 2004.
Riley, improving on his previous qualifying mark of 20.52 last weekend,
took second with a throw of 20.75. Carri Long, a graduate of Purdue,
won the high jump with a clearance of 1.85. Francesca Green, a NCAA
All-American from Washington State University, also hit the qualifying
standard with her win in the long jump with a leap of 6.13. Green,
returning to competition after two seasons off, also finished second in
the 60 meters with a time of 7.63.
Also competing at Purdue in their season openers were Ebbie Metzinger
with a win in the Pole Vault (3.96) and in her Invaders debut, Natasha
Lothery finished 2nd in the 600 (1:35.86).
Masters stars for the Invaders, Robert Thomas and Sunder Nix opened
their indoor seasons with a 2nd (Thomas, 1:21.16) and a 5th (Nix,
1:24.22)
At the Illinois Open, hosted by the University of Illinois, Brandon Hon
won the 60 hurdles (8.03) and finished 2nd (48.94) in the 400 while 800
meter teammate Hope Sanders opened her season with a win the Mile
(4:50.78). Also, posting a top finish was Shannon Gallagher with a
second in the Pole Vault (4.10) and Jamey Sperle second in the 200
(22.23).
Team Director Greg Harger said, "Our athletes targeting USA Indoor
Nationals are getting their qualifying marks out of the way with their
early season meets. This provides the opportunity to focus on training
and preparation for top efforts at indoor nationals. For the bulk of
our roster this year has a different flavor to it as we focus on
performing our very best in July at the Olympic Trials."
Currently, four Invaders are qualified for Indoor Nationals -
Zack Riley (WT), Carri Long (HJ), Francesca Green (LJ) and Brandon Hon
(60H). Since 1999, the Invaders have won one World Championships
individual title, one USATF Indoor individual title, had three
runner-up finishes, placed 11 in the top five, and placed 31
in the top 10.
Ten Invaders are qualified for for the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team Trials,
in July, with Hope Sanders (800), Jacob Koczman (800), Donnie Fellows
(10,000), Brandon Hon (110H), Carri Long (HJ), Adam Shunk (HJ), Greg
Yeldell (TJ), Zachary Riley (HT), Kirt Thompson (JT), and defending
Olympic Trials Champion DeDee Nathan in the heptathlon.
INDIANA INVADERS' HIT NATIONAL QUALIFYING MARKS TO OPEN OLYMPIC SEASON
January 11, 2004
(INDIANAPOLIS) Indiana Invaders' Brandon Hon and Zack Riley hit
national qualifying marks for the 2004 USA Indoor Championships
with their respective wins in the 60 hurdles and the weight throw
at the Hoosier Open, hosted by Indiana University in Bloomington
Indiana on January 10, 2004.
Riley, with a winning toss of 20.52 meters, is also a 2004 US Olympic
Trials Qualifier in the hammer throw. Riley was seventh in the hammer
throw at the NCAA Outdoor Championships in 2003 and set three school
records while at Ball State University.
Hon, a 2004 US Olympic Trials Qualifier in the 110 hurdles, is also
the 2003 USATF National Club Champion in the 110 hurdles. Hon led
the Invaders sweep of the 60 hurdles with his winning time of 7.87
with teammates Alex Sprague and Brendon Falconer taking second and
third, respectively.
Decathletes Falconer and Sprague, beginning their season in preparation
to qualify for the Olympic Trials Decathlon, also went 1-2 in the long
jump and both finished in the top 5 in the shot put.
Hon also posted a lifetime best indoor 400 mark of 48.94 in posting the
second fastest time of the day in the 400 while teammate Adrian Swanson,
a graduate of Indiana State University, finished 3rd in the 400 with
a time of 49.01.
Team Director Greg Harger said, "This was a good early season opener
for a limited number of athletes to hit early qualifiers." Harger
added, "Hon went to the meet looking to get his hurdle qualifier out
of the way early and posted a PR while Riley had opening meet rough
spots and still posted a national mark. Next week we'll have a little
bump up in numbers as additional athletes begin to open their indoor
seasons."
Since 1999, the Invaders have won one World Championships individual
title, one USATF Indoor individual title, had three runner-up finishes,
placed 11 in the top five, and placed 31 in the top 10.
