AMERICAN MILERS CLUB HIGH PERFORMANCE SERIES
April 25, 2006
(INDIANAPOLIS) The Indiana Invaders will host the 2006 edition of the
American Milers Club High Performance Track & Field Series immediately
after the USA Outdoor Championships that will be held in Indianapolis on
June 22-25. The series will be produced and managed by NFTL, Inc.
The American Milers Club High Performance Series, featuring three days
of many of America's top middle distance and distance athletes hitting
the track with scores to settle from USA Nationals, is an outgrowth of
meets hosted by the Indiana Invaders in 2004 to provide high performance
competitive opportunities for middle distance & distance athletes.
In 2005, there were several very competitive performances including two
sub-3:38 performances in the 1500 and five sub-1:48 performances in the
800. Olympians, National Champions, and top USATF & NCAA competitors
battled for supremacy on the track.
In 2004, the series produced 43 Olympic Trials qualifying marks
including some of the deepest 800 and 1500 meter races in the USA during
the 2004 track and field season.
Formal commitments of support from teams like the Farm Team, Big Sur
Distance Project, Hansons-Brooks, Wisconsin Runner RT, and Zap Fitness
have already been made to this series along with strong interest from
area collegiate athletes. The competition schedule will be focused on
the 800 and 1500 with a limited number of possible added events on each
of the different days of the series. A high performance steeple backed
by two-time Olympian Robert Gary is set for the July 1st date on the series.
2006 High Performance Track & Field Series dates:
June 27 Bloomington, Indiana
June 29 Bloomington, Indiana
July 1 Bloomington, Indiana
Meet Series Director Greg Harger said, "We're excited about the
potential of this series and it's ability to provide high performance
competition opportunities for America's top middle distance and distance
athletes. The commitments by many of America's Future Olympians and
their coaches in both Middle Distance and Distance events to this series
is significant. This is a unique series intended to allow local fans
to see and interact personally with many of America's future Olympians
all while addressing a strong need for domestic elite development
athletes and their programs at the time of the year when their fitness
is at its highest level." Harger added, "We're looking forward to
growing this series and making it an annual event on the domestic
schedule. After having seen these athletes battle at the US
Championships in Indianapolis, fans will have an opportunity to see them
return immediately to the track to settle personal scores and improve on
their championship performances."
The USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships will be held in Indianapolis
and take place June 22-25, 2006. The US Championships serve as the
selection meet for the IAAF World Cup of Athletics, which will take
place September 16-17 in Athens, Greece.
Starting line-ups, event registration, and additional information on the
American Milers Club High Performance Aeries is available online at NFTL.
American Milers Club High Performance Series:
http://www.nftl.net
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' SMITH THROWS "A" STANDARD
April 23, 2006
(INDIANAPOLIS) Indiana Invaders' Dameion Smith threw a season best opener in
the hammer throw to win with a mark of 70.22 meters at the Saint
Joseph's College Puma Invitational on April 22, 2006. Smith bettered
the USA Championship "A" Qualifying standard of 66.60 by over 3 meters.
Smith, a graduate of Avon High School and the University of
Indianapolis, is a current resident of Center Grove, Indiana.
Smith, a six-time NCAA Division II All-American, was a 2004
US Olympic Trials competitor and is the NCAA Division II
hammer throw record holder.
Teammate Erin Nehus, competing at the Oregon Invitational, qualified
for the US Outdoor Championships with her time of 33:57.92 in the 10,000
which earned her a third place finish. Nehus' performance was her first
USA Outdoor Track & Field Championship qualifier.
Amber Plowden also competing in Oregon was second in the 100 meters with
a time of 11.89 which is her best season opener.
Team Director Greg Harger said, "Smith, a hometown guy, will be
energized competing in front of his personal supporters and fans at this
summer's Outdoor Championships in Indianapolis. He's a young hammer
thrower with the possibility of having a very long and successful
career." Harger added, "Nehus and Plowden did a great job this weekend
in their season openers. Nehus can now focus on rounding into PR 5,000
shape as a set-up for her nationals debut at 10,000 meters this June
22nd. Plowden can expect significant improvement over the next couple of
weeks and has an excellent chance of posting her first USA Outdoor
Championship qualifying mark this season."
The USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships will be held in Indianapolis
and take place June 22-25, 2006. The event serves as the selection meet
for the IAAF World Cup of Athletics, which will take place September
16-17 in Athens, Greece.
INDIANA INVADERS: A LOOK BACK & FORWARD
April 20, 2006
(INDIANAPOLIS) The Indiana Invaders, a not-for-profit organization
founded in 1998, are entering their eighth full competitive season as a
USATF club focused on elite athlete development. The Invaders are a
resident-based club providing an athlete-centered support system unique
to the sport in the United States.
The Invaders are entered into their eighth season looking to build upon
seven years of athletic success. The Invaders over the past seven years
have had more athletes in USA Track & Field & Cross Country Championship
events than any other club in the United States. Arguably America's
best USATF Track & Field Team, the Invaders have had one World Indoor
Champion, one World Indoor Bronze medalist, one Olympian, eight USA
National Champions, six US National Team members, and 121 athlete
appearances at USATF national indoor and outdoor track & field
championships.
As a model for true athlete development in the sport, the Invaders have
supported the national and international pursuits of its athletes and
have been a major presence in the recent revitalization of the US club
system. As a club the Invaders have won nine Men's & Women's Track &
Field and Cross Country National Club Championship titles in the last
six years.
In their seven year history the Invaders have had athletes compete in
virtually all of the marquee domestic events in the United States and in
events throughout the world.
Invaders' athletes have competed on four continents at all levels of
international competition including major events such as the Olympic
Games, World Indoor & Outdoor Championships, VISA Tour events such as
the Prefontaine Classic and the Millrose Games along with participation
in several I.A.A.F. Grand Prix events. Over the past seven seasons the
Invaders have produced nearly 15% of all club-affiliated performances at
the USA Indoor & Outdoor Track & Field/Marathon/World Cross Country Team
selection events.
The Indiana Invaders have also impacted the USATF National events
calendar as the Invaders hosted events including the 2004 World Cross
Country Team Trials and were critical hosts in the creation and founding
of the USATF National Club Track & Field Championships in 2001 hosting
the event for its initial four years (2001-2004).
In addition to hosting significant USATF Championships the Invaders have
also created the highly successful annual American Milers Club High
Performance Series in 2004 to provide high performance competitive
opportunities for middle distance & distance athletes. The Indiana
Invaders by entering into a regular communications relationship with
several of America's finest elite development club's including the Big
Sur Distance Project, Hansons-Brooks Distance Project, The Farm Team,
Team USA Minnesota, Wisconsin Runner RT, and Zap Fitness the pursuit of
domestic competitions for middle distance and distance athletes where
competitions promote the attainment of national and international
standards has been greatly improved for the developing elite athlete in
the US. Collectively, the Invaders with the other clubs have been able
to select and support venues & events that best serve developing and
emerging elite athletes in their respective training groups.
Team Director Greg Harger said, "Looking back at our efforts over our
first seven years, we have witnessed a lot of accomplishments and even
more importantly we now see the foundation having been laid for the
future of elite athlete development in our community. Both for our club
and elite athlete development clubs in general in the US, we have a lot
of work ahead of us in achieving our goals and full potential. The path
that we have taken has not been the easiest, but it's been the right
one. The path ahead holds many more challenges that we continue to
eagerly prepare for as we pursue a functional elite development model
and functional elite development club system in the USA." Harger added,
"Essentially we have completed Phase One of our model and as we go
forward with Phase Two we look to build the first International
Development Track & Field Team right here in Indiana. Indiana has the
facilities, technology, athletic talent, financial resources and
coaching resources to achieve a continual Pursuit of Excellence and to
bring home medals to Indiana for the benefit of all for years to come.
As we develop additional support in our community for our club and our
state's residents we look forward to significant growth and even greater
athletic accomplishments through further innovation."
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.
