Posted: June 27, 2004

Athletics: Seventeen Big Red Olympic Trials Qualifiers

(HILLSDALE) 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 outstansing 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 qualifying performances. Day two of the Big RED National Invitaional resumes on Tuesday June 29th in Bloomington, Indiana.

Team Director Greg Harger said, "It wasa 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.

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