Posted: April 22, 2004

Athletics: Indiana Invaders Headed To Drake Relays

(INDIANAPOLIS) The Indiana Invaders are headed to the 95th edition of the Drake Relays in Des Moines, Iowa on April 22-24, 2004. The Invaders look to wrap up the April relay season at America's Athletic Classic. The Invaders are led by former Drake Relays Champions, Olympian Kirt Thompson (javelin) and Marc Dzradosi (triple jump).

Two-time Olympic Qualifier, Olympian Kirt Thompson, returns as the 2003Drake Relays runner-up and the 2002 Drake Relays Champion in the javelin (Friday). Marc Drzadosi, a graduate of Drake University and three time NCAA Qualifier while at Drake, also returns as a 2002 Drake Relays Champion and 2003 Drake Relays runner-up in the triple jump (Saturday).

Three-Time NAIA Champion Sharline Maxwell-Divis, a graduate of Briar Cliff University (IA), will compete in the Special Invitational 400. Two-Time NAIA Champion and Olympic Trials Qualifier Jacob Koczman, of West Des Moines, will compete in the Special Invitational 800 while fellow 800 competitor and Olympic Trials Qualifier, Hope Sanders, will compete in the Women's Special Invitational 800 (Saturday). Sanders in her race will face national record holders in the 800 from Malta, Barbados, and Poland.

Olympic Trials Qualifier Brandon Hon will face some of the nation's best hurdlers in the Special Invitational 110 Hurdles and the Special Invitational 400 Hurdles (Saturday). Olympic Trials Qualifier Carri Long, a graduate of Purdue University, will compete in the Special Invitational High Jump. Shannon Gallagher, a 2000 Olympic Trials Top 10 finisher, will compete in the pole vault against a stacked field featuring numerous world ranked competitors.

Jamey Sperle, a Seven Time NAIA All-American, will compete in the Special Invitational 200. Sperle finished sixth at the 2004 USA Indoor Championships in the 200. Two-Time PAC-Ten Champion Francesca Green will run the 100 meters and compete in the long jump. Joining Green in the 100 and competing in the Special Invitational 200 will be Amber Plowden.

Team Director Greg Harger said, "With 8500 athletes and over 62 foreign countries represented the Drake Relays are an awesome location for our top athletes to open up the more intense portion of their outdoor season. The Invaders are fired up about the opportunity to compete in front of such a great audience where the final day of competition has been sold out for decades."

America's Athletic Classic - Drake Relays: www.drakerelays.org.

For further information on the Indiana Invaders, please contact Greg Harger at 317 289-4018 or online at: (greg.harger@indianainvaders.com
www.indianainvaders.com