INVADERS' BELL SIXTH & DMR SECOND AT INDOOR NATIONALS
February 26, 2006
(INDIANAPOLIS) Ricardo Bell, competing in his first USA National
Championship, finished sixth in the 800 on the final day of the 2006
AT&T USA Indoor Track & Field Championships in Boston,
Massachusetts on February 26, 2006.
Lewis Edmonson competing in the semi-finals of the 60 meter
hurdles did not advance to the finals on the final day of competition.
The Indiana Invaders men's Distance Medley Relay team took
second with a time of 9:57.74. The men finished second to The Farm Team
who posted the sixth fastest time in the US for 2006.
This is the eighth competitive indoor season for the Invaders since the
initial formation of their athlete roster in the fall of 1998. Since
1999 in addition to one World Indoor Champion, the Invaders have won two
individual Indoor National Titles, had four runner-up finishes, placed
14 athletes in the top five, and had 41 finishes in the top 10.
==============================================================
Indoor '06 '05 '04 '03 '02 '01 '00 '99 Total(s)
==============================================================
Qualified: 8 8 12 12 4 12 7 5 68
Top 10: 2 3 5 6 4 10 7 5 42
Top 5: 1 1 1 1 2 4 2 2 14
2nd: - - 1 - - - 2 1 4
1st: 1 - - - - 1 - - 2
==============================================================
(totals exclude relays)
Team Director Greg Harger
said, "Since the formation of the club in 1999
we've had 68 athletes qualify for the Indoor Championships with 42 Top
Ten finishes which includes two wins and four runner-up finishes."
Coach
Harger added, "On paper, we exceeded resonable expectations coming into
this weekend, which is very encouraging since our focus is for the most
part on having an even bigger impact at the Outdoor Championships what
with the opportunity of competing in front of the home town crowd with
the US Outdoor Championships in Indianapolis this June. But, before we
look outdoors, we must enjoy Adam Shunk's competitive outing as he
heads off to Moscow representing Indiana and the USA in the World
Indoor Championships."
2006 AT&T USA Indoor Track & Field Championships:
http://www.usatf.org/events/2006/USAIndoorTFChampionships/
The Indiana Invaders, a not-for-profit organization founded in 1998,
presents 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' ADAM SHUNK WINS USA INDOOR NATIONALS
February 25, 2006
(INDIANAPOLIS) Indiana Invaders' Adam Shunk, competing for NIKE, won the
high jump with a clearance of 2.25 meters at the 2006 AT&T USA Indoor
Track & Field Championships in Boston, Massachusetts on February
25, 2006.
Shunk, in winning his first USA National Championship title, will
represent the United States at the 2006 IAAF World Indoor Championships
to be held in Moscow, Russia on March 10-12, 2006. Shunk, a graduate of
Delta H.S., Muncie, Indiana is currently a graduate student at Ball
State University.
Hunter Spencer, a graduate of the University of Kentucky, surprised his
competitors with a fifth in the finals of the 1500 with a time of
3:45.65. Spencer was 20th at the World Cross Country Trials last
weekend. Rounding out the days Top Ten finishes for the Invaders was
Erin Nehus' ninth in the 3000 with her time of 9:33.60. Nehus was 21st
at the World Cross Country Trials last weekend.
In the first round of the 800, Ricardo Bell finished the day with the
second fastest time and advanced to the finals. Bell, competing in his
first USA Indoor Championship, is on a three race win streak that
includes posting the fastest 600 meters by an American in 2006 which was
also good for fifth on the all-time U.S. list. Jacob Koczman fell
victim to tactical errors and did not advance to the finals of the 800.
Lewis Edmonson, a newcomer to the Invaders roster, advanced to the
semi-finals of the 60 meter hurdles with his time of 7.88. Another
recent addition to Invaders, Garland Porter, a graduate of Indianapolis'
Ben Davis high school, finished 13th in the weight throw with a toss of
19.86 meters.
Amber Plowden did not advance out of the first round of the 60 meters.
Team Director Greg Harger said, "Shunk's efforts and progression now put
him in position to have an international impact for the team by
competing for the USA at the World Championships in Moscow. Spencer's
finish thrust him back into national consideration in the 1500 after
competing in the USA World Cross Country Country Trials just last
weekend." Coach Harger added, "With the addition of Shunk's and
Spencer's efforts we now have had a total of 20 athletes finish in the
top five at the US Indoor Championships since 1999 which includes two
wins and four runner-up finishes. The modest success that we've had to
date is encouraging but we're looking for more. As we continue to
improve our recruiting efforts and coaching efforts we look to have a
larger impact when we return next year and especially as we head into
the 2008 Olympic year."
2006 AT&T USA Indoor Track & Field Championships:
http://www.usatf.org/events/2006/USAIndoorTFChampionships/
The Indiana Invaders, a not-for-profit organization founded in 1998,
presents 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 HEADED TO USA INDOOR NATIONALS
February 18, 2006
(INDIANAPOLIS) The Indiana Invaders are headed to the 2006 AT&T USA
Indoor Track & Field Championships in Boston, Massachusetts on February
24-26, 2006. The Invaders will have athletes competing in the greatest
number of events of any club in the United States.
The Invaders have 11 athletes competing in a total of seven individual
events and one relay. In the 800, the Invaders are led by Jacob
Koczman, a 2004 Olympic Trials finalist in the 800, and Ricardo Bell,
who has posted the fastest 600 meters by an American in 2006. Koczman
has already met the World Indoor Championship qualifying standard for
800 meters.
In the 1500, the Invaders are represented by Hunter Spencer who is
entered with the 11th best mark while in the 3000, Erin Nehus, a
nine-time NAIA All-American, is ranked eighth going into the championship.
Amber Plowden, an eight-time D-II All-American, will compete in the 60
meters. Newcomers to the Invaders roster, Lewis Edmonson & Garland
Porter, a graduate of Indianapolis’ Ben Davis high school, will compete
in the 60 meter hurdles and weight throw respectively.
Additionally, Invaders' Adam Shunk, a graduate student at Ball State
University will be representing NIKE as he competes in the high
jump. Shunk is ranked fourth going into the championship and has
achieved the World Indoor qualifying standard.
Finally, the Invaders' men will compete in the Distance Medley Relay
(DMR). The eligible roster for the Invaders is comprised of Koczman,
Bell, Spencer, Robert Thomas, Robert Duncan and Christopher
Hendrix-Buxton. In what may prove to be a developing middle distance
rivalry, the Farm Team, will give the Invaders a challenge in the DMR.
The two teams represent 35% of all athletes competing in the men's 800
and 1500.
This is the eighth competitive indoor season for the Invaders since the
initial formation of their athlete roster in the fall of 1998. Since
1999 in addition to one World Indoor Champion, the Invaders have won one
individual Indoor National Title, had four runner-up finishes, placed 13
athletes in the top five, and had 39 finishes in the top 10.
==============================================================
Indoor '06 '05 '04 '03 '02 '01 '00 '99 Total(s)
==============================================================
Qualified: 8 8 12 12 4 12 7 5 68
Top 10: 3 5 6 4 10 7 5 39*
Top 5: 1 1 1 2 4 2 2 13*
2nd: - 1 - - - 2 1 4*
1st: - - - - 1 - - 1*
==============================================================
*pending '06 results (totals exclude athletes in relays)
Team Director Greg Harger said, "In terms of visibility we have the
numbers to create an impact on the meet. Our goal is to out race and
out perform our expectations on paper for this meet. Our quality has
taken a step up with having two athletes in Koczman and Shunk who have
both hit the World "A" standard for this indoor season." Coach Harger
added, "We're now seeing the beginnings of our building momentum and
pride as a reflection of a renewed effort in the areas of recruiting and
coaching along with the extra energy and incentive that is inherently
present when our outdoor national championship are scheduled for our
home town the next two years which leads into the 2008 Olympic year."
2006 AT&T USA Indoor Track & Field Championships:
http://www.usatf.org/events/2006/USAIndoorTFChampionships/
The Indiana Invaders, a not-for-profit organization founded in 1998,
presents 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 AT WORLD CROSS COUNTRY TRIALS
February 19, 2006
(INDIANAPOLIS) Indiana Invaders' Hunter Spencer and Erin Nehus finished
finished 20th and 21st respectively in their races at the USA World
Cross Country Trials held at Van Cortlandt Park in New York City, N.Y.
This event selects athletes to compete at the IAAF World Cross Country
Championships and North America, Central American, & Caribbean
(NACAC) Cross Country Championships.
Coach Greg Harger said, "Spencer and Nehus both ran good
races. The
outing was a valuable experience and provides additional motivation in
their development as national class athletes." Coach Harger added,
"Finishing in the Top 20 against the best U.S. distance runners from
milers to marathoners has always been a critical benchmark for American
distance runners so their results are encouraging."
World Cross Country Trials - Results:
http://www.usatf.org/events/2006/USAXCChampionships/schedule.asp
The Indiana Invaders, a not-for-profit organization founded in 1998,
presents 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' RICARDO BELL TOPS U.S. LIST
February 18, 2006
(INDIANAPOLIS) Indiana Invaders' Ricardo Bell posted the second fastest
time in the world, and the fastest time for an American this season, in
the 600 with his winning time of 1:16.63 at the Hoosier Hills
Invitational on February 17, 2006.
Bell's 600 meter time would be no worse than third on the World List in
any given year over the past three seasons. Bell's time is also the
fastest for an American since 2002. Bell will next compete in the 800 at
the US Indoor Championships in Boston on February 25 & 26, 2006.
Bell's teammate Jacob Koczman also won the 600 in a time of 1:18.57 at
the Iowa Open. Koczman has the second fastest 800 meter entry time for
this year's Indoor National Championship.
Coach Greg Harger said, "Bell is just beginning to incorporate his
natural speed into his 800 meter fitness. He ran a strong 600 and
should be all set for a great initiation in his first USA National
Championship." Coach Harger added, "Bell and Koczman are demonstrating
great potential for an impact at the national and international level in
the 800."
Hoosier Hills Invitational - Results:
http://iuhoosiers.collegesports.com/sports/m-track/stats/2005-2006/results.html
The Indiana Invaders, a not-for-profit organization founded in 1998,
presents an innovative approach to track & field by providing a
resident-based, athlete-centered support system unique to the sport in
the United States.
INVADERS' KOCZMAN HITS USA & WORLD QUALIFYING STANDARD
February 12, 2006
(INDIANAPOLIS) Indiana Invaders' Jacob Koczman bettered the USA Indoor
National Championship qualifying standard with his runner-up finish in
his section of the 800 with a time of 1:48.39 at the Iowa State
University Classic on February 11, 2006. Koczman’s time also exceeded
the 2006 World Indoor Championship qualifying standard for 800 meters.
Koczman, a 2004 Olympic Trials Finalist in the 800, in posting his
personal best mark of 1:48.39 makes himself eligible for the USA World
Indoor Team. The top two finishers at the USA Indoor National
Championships, if they have met the World Indoor Championship standard
of 1:48.50, select themselves to the USA World Indoor Championship Team
based on their competitive finish.
Koczman is one of two Invaders athletes now qualified in the men's 800
for the USA Indoor National Championship. Koczman joins Ricardo Bell
who qualified with a winning time of 1:49.94 at last weekend’s Hoosier
Relays.
Also competing at the ISU Classic was Robert Duncan who posted an indoor
personal best time of 4:12.67 for the Mile and steeplechaser Aaron
Harding running an indoor season best of 8:27.19 in the 3000.
Coach Greg Harger said, "Koczman ran a solid season opening 800 race
and has done a tremendous job preparing for indoor nationals considering
he is training through his fourth term of medical school which limits
his racing opportunities." Harger added, "Koczman and Bell have a great
opportunity to make a mark for themselves in Boston as both have been
training very well for Indoor Nationals and not the lead up indoor races."
ISU Classic - Results:
http://cyclones.collegesports.com/sports/c-track/stats/2005-2006/classicday2results.html
The Indiana Invaders, a not-for-profit organization founded in 1998,
presents an innovative approach to track & field by providing a
resident-based, athlete-centered support system unique to the sport in
the United States.
INVADERS' BELL HITS USA NATIONAL QUALIFYING STANDARD
February 5, 2006
(INDIANAPOLIS) Indiana Invaders' Ricardo Bell hit the USA Indoor
National Championship qualifying standard with his winning time of
1:49.94 in the 800 at the Hoosier Relays hosted by Indiana University.
Bell, in qualifying for his first USATF championship, led the Invaders
Charge at the Hoosier Relays. Teammate Amber Plowden also hit the
USA Indoor National Championship qualifying standard for 60 meters
during the semi finals with a time of 7.60 seconds. Plowden finished fourth in the finals with a time of 7.66 seconds.
Hunter Spencer,
with an aggressive early pace of 55.0 seconds at 400 meters and 1:56.1
at 800 meters, won the Invitational Mile unchallenged with a time of
4:04.68. In the relay events the Invaders' middle distance men won the
4x800 (7:30.31) and were second in the Distance Medley Relay (10:10.55)
in the course of making the most of the Hoosier Relays as a training
opportunity for a possible appearance in a DMR at the USA Indoor
National Championships in Boston on February 26th, 2006.
Stephanie Dueringer
won the 5000 with a time of 17:07.77 in a final
tune-up outing before a planned World Cross Country Trials competition
over 8,000 meters set for Van Cortland Park, NYC on February 18th.
Dueringer will be joined at the World Cross Country Trials by teammates
Erin Nehus (8K race) and Hunter Spencer (4K).
Other notable training outings at the Hoosier Relays were posted by Sharline Maxwell-Divis posting the third best mark (56.14 seconds) of the 400 meter trials on Friday and Marc Dzradosi’s 15.55 meter jump in the Friday Trials of the Triple Jump.
Team Director Greg Harger
said, "Bell's success this weekend in
qualifying for Nationals is just one of many steps he now appears ready
to take on the path to national recognition in the 800." Harger added,
"To date our entire men’s middle distance crew is setting up well for a
very good 2006 outdoor season where we hope to make the most of our
opportunity to race in our home town in late June."
Hoosier Relays - Results:
http://iuhoosiers.collegesports.com/sports/m-track/stats/2005-2006/relays2.html
http://iuhoosiers.collegesports.com/sports/m-track/stats/2005-2006/results-day2.html
The Indiana Invaders, a not-for-profit organization founded in 1998,
presents an innovative approach to track & field by providing a
resident-based, athlete-centered support system unique to the sport in
the United States.
