13 OLYMPIC TRIALS QUALIFYING MARKS AT BIG RED NATIONAL INVITATIONAL
June 29, 2004
(INDIANAPOLIS) The Big Red National Invitational saw 13 athletes
hitting Olympic Trials qualifying marks in Bloomington, Indiana
on June 29th, 2004. The men's 1500 field was won by Olympian
Paul McMullen, representing the US Coast Guard, in a time of
3:39.92 to led seven men under the Olympic Trials qualfying
standard.
McMullen was followed by Dan Wilson (Asics) in second (3:39.97),
and Brendon Mahoney was in third (3:40.85). These three athletes
are set to compete in Sacramento, California at the US Olympic
Team Trials in July. The rest of the Olympic Trails field will
be determined on Friday at the USATF National Club Track & Field
Championships as the Olympic Trials field allows only a maximum
of 30 athletes to compete and over 48 are currently qualified
with several qualified athletes seeking to break into the top 30
in the final qualifying event of this Olympic Season in
Bloomington on July 2nd.
Ashley Wysong, of the Nike Farm Team, won the 800 with an Olympic
Trials Qualifying mark of 2:04.13, over runner-up Kinsey Coles
of North Dakota State who also posted an Olympic Trials qualifying
effort (2:04.86) after her career best effort 2:04.54 on day one
of the Big Red.
Indiana Invaders' Adrian Swanson won the 400 hurdles with
a season best of 50.42 in route to bettering the Olympic Qualifying
standard of 50.50. Eric Dudley, also hit the Olympic Trials
qualifying standard,to finish second with a time of 50.46.
Teammate Jacob Kozman also bettered the Olympic Trials qualfying
standard of 1:48.50 in the 800 with a winning time of 1:47.90.
David Davis Jr hit the Olympic Trials qualifying standard
in the 110 high hurdles with a time of 13.99, just under the
standard of 14.00.
Meet Director Greg Harger said, "We are pleased with having
43 Olympic Trials qualifying marks in the four days of
competition during our first High Performance Series working
with Hillsdale College and Indiana University". Harger added,
"The prospects of growing this high performance series is
very intriguing for 2005 and beyond."
Complete Results:
http://www.nftl.net/events/2004/04_big_red_schedule.asp
SEVENTEEN BIG RED OLYMPIC TRIALS QUALIFIERS
June 27, 2004
(INDIANAPOLIS) Highlights of day one of the Big RED National
Invitational include seventeen athletes hitting Olympic Trials
Qualifying standards and an Olympic Trials "A" Standard by
Indiana Invaders Zack Riley in the Hammer Throw on June 26th,
2004 in Bloomington, Indiana.
Riley's winning throw of 70.89 meters in the hammer throw was
a career best that exceeded the Olympic Trials "A" Qualifying
standard of 70.00 meters. After day one of competition, Riley
is the current outstanding performer of the meet.
The men's 1500 meter race was the spotlight event as the finale
of day one with nine Olympic Trials qualifying performances
turned in. Rob Meyers won the 1500 with a time of 3:39.42
and Olympic Steeple Chaser Robert Gary took ninth with a time
of 3:42.39.
Riley's enthusiasm led four other competitors to hit the Olympic
Trials qualifying standard in the hammer throw. Riley's performance
in the first event of the competition set the tone for the meet.
Teammate Jacob Kozman was one of three Olympic Trials qualifying
performers in the 800. Koczman was second with a career best of
1:47.47. Jason Briggs of Indiana State University won the 800
with a time of 1:47.00.
In the women's 800, Ashley Wysong of the Nike Farm Team won with
a time of 2:04.34 with Kinsey Coles, of North Dakota State in second
with a time of 2:04.54. Latisha Croom-Staten was third with a 2:04.87
and was the third and final Olympic Trials qualifier in the 800.
Invaders' Olympic Trials Qualifier Hope Sanders was sixth with
a time of 2:06.05.
In the men's 110 high hurdles, David Davis Jr hit the Olympic Trials
qualifying standard with a winning time of 13.84.
With 17 Olympic Trials Qualifying performances in today's compeition
and with 13 Olympic Trials qualifying performances from the Big Blue
National Invitational in Hillsdale Michigan, the Indiana Invaders'
High Performance Track & Field series has produced 30 Olympic Trials
qualifying performances. Day two of the Big RED National Invitational
resumes on Tuesday June 29th in Bloomington, Indiana.
Meet Director Greg Harger said, "It was a great first day of what
should be a great week of competition in Bloomington. We're
looking for more Olympic Trials qualifying performances on Tuesday.
Big RED National Invitational Results:
http://www.nftl.net/events/2004/04_big_red_schedule.asp
Big RED National Invitational Day Two Start Lists:
http://www.nftl.net/events/2004/04_big_red_status2.asp?g=1&e=2
BIG BLUE NATIONAL INVITATIONAL: 13 OLYMPIC TRIALS QUALIFIERS
June 13, 2004
(INDIANAPOLIS) Fans at the Big Blue National Invitational saw 12
athletes hit 13 Olympic Trials Qualifying Standards with six coming
from Wild Bill's Magical Metric Mile. The Big Blue National
Invitational was held on the campus of Hillsdale College, in
Hillsdale Michigan on June 11th & 12th, 2004.
Wild Bill's Magical Metric Mile (1500 meters) was led by Olympian Paul
McMullen, a graduate of Eastern Michigan University and representing
the US Coast Guard, with a winning time of 3:40.92. McMullen led five
other competitors under the Olympic Trials qualifying standard of
3:43.00. Fans experienced one of the fastest metric mile races in
the US with Dan Wilson (Asics) in 3:41.10, Erik Schmidt representing
the US Marine Corps (3:41.29), Brandon Strong representing Asics
(3:41.38), Ian Conner representing NIKE (3:42.03), and Karl Savage
of Zap Fitness (3:42.15) cruising under the Olympic Qualifying
standard of 3:43.00. Syracuse Chargers' Matt LoPiccolo, finishing
in seventh, just missed the Olympic Trials qualifying standard
with his career best time of 3:43.56, an improvement of nearly
three seconds. Schmidt in third also had a big career best of
nearly three seconds.
Indiana Invaders' Zack Riley had a winning throw of 68.55 meters
in the hammer throw which easily exceeded the Olympic Qualifying
standard of 64.00 meters. Riley's performance earned him MVP
honors at Big Blue National Invitational.
Olympic Gold Medalist Darnell Hall, representing the Hansons-Brooks
ODP, equaled the Olympic Qualifying Standard of 45.85 to win the
400 meters. Hall won the Olympic Gold at the 1992 Olympic Games
in Barcelona, Spain as part of the US 4x400 relay team. Hall also
won the 1995 World Indoor Championships in the 400.
Greg Richardson won the 110 hurdles with a time of 13.68 and
Syracuse Chargers' Ron Andrews was second with a time of 13.71.
Andrews improved on his mark of 13.84 from the first day of
competition. The Olympic qualifying standard in the 110 hurdles
is 14.00.
Joe Allen, representing Holyfield International, qualified for
the US Olympic Trials with his winning leap of 7.83 meters in
the long jump.
Henry Patterson hit the Olympic Trials qualifying standard of 2.20
to win the high jump over Ryan Fitzpatric, a graduate of Purdue
University, who cleared 2.15 meters.
BIG BLUE NATIONAL INVITATIONAL TOP PERFORMERS:
MVP Points
8.5 Zack Riley Indiana Invaders Hammer 68.55
8.4 Greg Richardson Unattached 110H 13.68
8.3 Ron Andrews Syracuse Chargers 110H 13.71
8.3 Shomari Wilson Nike 200 20.75
8.3 Darnell Hall Hansons-Brooks 400 45.85
8.2 Joe Mendel Nike 400 46.01
8.1 Paul McMullen US Coast Guard 1500 3:40.92
8.1 Dan Wilson Asics 1500 3:41.10
8.1 Erik Schmidt US Marine Corps 1500 3:41.29
8.1 Brandon Strong Asics 1500 3:41.38
8.1 Eric Dudley Unattached 400H 50.53
8.1 Henry Patterson Unattached HJ 2.20
Indiana Invaders' Greg Yeldell won the triple jump (15.88),
Adrian Swanson was second in the 400 hurdles (50.66), Jacob
Koczman was second in the 800 (1:48.85), Francesca Green was
second in the long jump (6.12), Pristina Jones took third
in the long jump (6.11), and Hope Sanders was third in the
800 (2:07.33). Yeldell, Koczman, and Sanders are three of 13
Indiana Invaders currently qualified for the US Olympic
Team Trials in July.
High Performance Meet Series Director Greg Harger said, "This was a
very solid weekend of performances. The excitement of Wild Bill's
Magical Metric Mile as the finale of the event was a great way to
end this weekend's inaugural high performance competition." Harger
added, "This was a great early summer Olympic season tune up for the
team as we head toward the Olympic Trials in July. We look forward
to the prospect of growing the event and working with Hillsdale
College to make this an annual fixture on the domestic calendar."
The next scheduled stop on the Indiana Invaders High Performance
Meet Series will be in Bloomington, Indiana for the Big RED National
Invitational on June 26th and 29th. Athletes will likely be seeking the
Olympic A Qualifying standard and the Olympic Trials A standard in
several events. The Big RED National Invitational leads into the
USATF National Club Track & Field Championships in Bloomington,
Indiana on July 2nd and 3rd. The Club Championship is the final
qualifying opportunity for the US Olympic Trials as it has an
exemption beyond the July 1st qualifying window.
Big Blue National Invitational Results:
http://www.nftl.net/events/2004/04_big_blue_schedule.asp
Big RED National Invitational:
http://www.nftl.net/events/2004/big_red.asp
INDIANA INVADERS HEAD TO HILLSDALE MICHIGAN
June 8, 2004
(INDIANAPOLIS) The Indiana Invaders will compete at the Hansons Midwest
Distance Solution on Thursday, June 10th and at the Big Blue National
Invitational on June 11th and 12th with both meets occurring on the
campus of Hillsdale College, in Hillsdale Michigan.
Olympic Trials Qualifiers Jacob Koczman and Hope Sanders, will lead
the team into competition against national and international level
competitors. Koczman will match-up against Olympian Jason Pyrah (NIKE)
in the 800 on Thursday, and they will face one another again on
Saturday evening. Koczman will also be joined in the 800 by
teammates Eddie Nehus and Daniel Walden. Koczman is a two-time
NAIA Champion from Northwestern College (IA).
Sanders will face two-time NCAA Divsion II Champion Kinsey Coles of
North Dakota State along with veterans Jill Snyder (adidas), Jill
Stamison-McMullen (wife of Olympian Paul McMullen), and two-time
USATF National Champion Collette Liss (NIKE). Sanders was a four-time
ALL-American and Big Ten Champion while at University of Illinois.
Teammate Natasha Lothery, a graduate of Ball State University, will
also see action in the 800.
Invaders' Adrian Swanson, a 3-time USA National Qualifier in the 400
hurdles will compete against three-time NCAA Division III Champion
Derek Toshner (UW-La Crosse), 2003 Drake Relays Champion Burke
Bockman, and 1996 Olympic Bronze Medalist Calvin Davis a University
of Arkansas graduate.
Invaders' Olympic Trials Qualifier Zack Riley, a two-time
All-American graduate of Ball State University will look to
return to record form in the hammer throw after a break from
competition. Riley has a career and season best of 69.75 meters.
2003 Drake Relays Champion Marc Drzadosi along with teammates
Greg Yeldell, a three-time member of the US National Team and
national high school record holder, and Hasaan Reddick, a
graduate of Indiana University, will face strong triple jump
field that includes two-time NCAA runner-up Chris Hercules (NIKE).
In the long jump Francesca Green and Pristina Jones will face
three-time NCAA Division III Champion Lindsay Sicilia a gradaute
of Calvin College. Green is a two-time Pac-10 Champion while at
Washington State University and competed at the World Junior
Championships in 1996. Jones is a two-time NCAA Division III
Champion.
In the sprints, Invaders' Amber Plowden will compete in the
200 along with teammate Sharline Maxwell-Divis, a three-time
NAIA Champion. Maxwell-Divis will also compete in the 400.
Decathletes Brendon Falconer and Alex Sprague will seek Olympic
Trials qualifying efforts in the decathlon. Falconer competed
at the 2000 US Olympic Team Trials and is a veteran USATF
championship competitor. Sprague, a graduate Bowling Green
State University, was a MAC Heptathlon Champion in 1999.
Invaders' Team Director Greg Harger commented, "Three days of
head-to-head Olympic Trials qualifying efforts will give fans
in Michigan an opportunity to see some great battles on the
track and in the field. It has the potential to be an historic
weekend for track & field in Michigan." Harger added, "We're
excited and ready to go this weekend in Hillsdale."
The entry deadline is Wednesday June 9th at 6:00pm EST.
Entry lists and athlete profiles are available online.
Hansons Midwest Distance Solution (June 10th):
http://www.nftl.net/events/2004/hansons.asp
Big Blue National Invitational (June 11th & June 12th):
http://www.nftl.net/events/2004/big_blue.asp
OLYMPIC HOPEFULS, OLYMPIC VETERANS HEAD TO HILLSDALE MICHIGAN
June 7, 2004
(INDIANAPOLIS) Track & Field fans have an opportunity to see some
world class 800 meter fields, led by two-time Olympian Jason Pyrah,
and a world class 400 hurdles field led by Olympic Bronze Medalist
Calvin Davis, at the Big Blue National Invitational, on the campus
of Hillsdale College, in Hillsdale Michigan on June 11-12th, 2004.
In the men's 800 meters, Pyrah representing NIKE faces Indiana
Invaders' two-time NAIA Champion from Northwestern College (IA)
Jacob Koczman, University of Missouri All-American Timothy Dunne
(NYAC), and Red-Shirt All-American Aldywn Sappleton (University
of Oklahoma), and Aaron Lanzel (US Navy) who is ranked in the
top 15 in the US.
In the women's 800 meters, Indiana Invaders' four-time ALL-American
for Illinois Hope Sanders faces two-time NCAA Division II Champion
and 2004 Drake Relay's Champion Kinsey Coles (North Dakota State),
five-time All-American from Wake Forest University Jill Snyder
representing adidas, and two-time All American from Western
Michigan University Jill Stamison-McMullen.
In the men's 400 hurdles, Indiana Invaders' Adrian Swanson, a
3-time USA National Qualifier will compete against three-time
NCAA Division III Champion Derek Toshner (UW-La Crosse), 2003
Drake Relays Champion Burke Bockman, and 1996 Olympic Bronze
Medalist Calvin Davis a University of Arkansas graduate.
This will be the final opportunity for fans to experience and
witness in person the spirit of this Olympic Season in Michigan.
Overall the Big Blue National Invitational features six Olympians
including two-time Olympian Jason Pyrah ('96 & '00 1500), Bronze
Medalist Calvin Davis (400H), Michigan native and Gold Medalist
Darnell Hall ('92 US 4x400), Silver Medalist Nduka Awazie
(Nigeria 4x400), Tanko Braimah ('00 Ghana 4x400), Michigan
native Paul McMullen ('96 1500). Both Awazie and McMullen
are graduates of Eastern Michigan University.
The High Performance Track & Field Series Director Greg Harger said,
"Both the 800 meter fields and 400 meter hurdles are blazingly fast.
Some records will be broken on June 11th and 12th in Hillsdale
and some great competitive battles will occur in the stadium."
Harger added, "We're excited and ready to go at the Big Blue."
Big Blue National Invitational (June 11th & June 12th):
http://www.nftl.net/events/2004/big_blue.asp
OLYMPIC MEDALISTS & VETERANS FACE OLYMPIC HOPEFULS IN MICHIGAN
June 6, 2004
(INDIANAPOLIS) International standouts including Olympians, Olympic
Hopefuls and International Gold Medalists will face one another at
the Big Blue National Invitational, on the campus of Hillsdale
College, in Hillsdale Michigan on June 11-12th, 2004.
This event is a "Family Friendly, Spectator Friendly" competition
featuring High Performance Entertainment on the track is produced
by NFTL, Inc. and hosted by the Indiana Invaders working with the
Hillsdale Track & Field program. This will be the final opportunity
for fans to experience and witness in person the spirit of this
Olympic Season in Michigan.
Olympic Gold Medalist Darnell Hall and Olympic Silver Medalist
Nduka Awazie will battle in the 400. Hall is from Detroit Michigan
(graduate of Pershing High School) and Awazie is a graduate of
Eastern Michigan University. Hall won the Olympic Gold at the 1992
Olympic Games in Barcelona, Spain as part of the US 4x400 relay team.
Hall also won the 1995 World Indoor Championships in the 400. Awazie
competed for Nigeria at the 2000 Olympic Games in the 4x400 relay.
Olympian Tanko Braimah, a citizen of Ghana, and a resident of Sterling
Heights, Michigan will compete in the 100 and 200. Indiana Invaders'
Jamey Sperle will face Braimah in the 200.
Olympian Paul McMullen, a graduate of Eastern Michigan University
and Cadillac High School, will compete in the Metric Mile (1500 meters)
featuring a field of 10 sub 4 minute milers. McMullen is a two time
US National Champion and competed at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta,
Georgia. McMullen will face two-time Olympian Jason Pyrah who finished
10th at the 2000 Olympic Games and veteran Steeple Chaser Sandu
Rebenciuc, representing the US Army, a two-time World Cross
Country Championship competitor.
The High Performance Track & Field Series Director Greg Harger said,
"The athletic clash between an established generation and potential
future stars in a great setting such as Hillsdale is a special
opportunity for track & field fans. Also, Michigan native Olympians
Paul McMullen and Darnell Hall compete this Olympic season for the
final time in front of their home state crowd."
Paul McMullen athletic profile:
http://usatf.org/athletes/bios/oldBios/2002/McMullen_Paul.asp
Darnell Hall athletic profile:
http://usatf.org/athletes/bios/oldBios/1997/hall.asp
Big Blue National Invitational:
http://www.nftl.net/events/2004/big_blue.asp
INDIANA INVADERS ADD HOOSIER TRIPLE JUMPER HASAAN REDDICK
June 1, 2004
(INDIANAPOLIS) The Indiana Invaders have added triple jumper Hasaan
Jamaal Reddick, a graduate of Indiana University, to the team's roster.
Reddick's career best of 16.35 meters in triple jump exceeds the
Olympic Trials qualifying standard of 16.00 meters.
Reddick, seeking a Olympic Trials Qualifying mark this season, will
compete in the Indiana Invaders' High Performance Track & Field Series
(Big Blue National Invitational - June 12th) in Hillsdale Michigan and
(Big RED National Invitational I & II - June 26th & 29th) in
Bloomington, Indiana. Reddick will also compete in the USATF National
Club Track & Field Championships in Bloomington, Indiana on July 2nd
and 3rd.
Reddick was a NCAA Indoor & Outdoor Championship Qualifier in the
triple jump in 2002 and was a Indoor & Outdoor Big Ten runner-up
in the triple jump in 2001. Reddick was the North Carolina High
School State Champion in the triple jump in 1999.
Team Director Greg Harger said, "Reddick has a tremendous amount of
talent and desire to compete at the next level. His enthusiasm
and competitive hunger will be great for our group."
