Posted: July 4, 2004

Athletics: USA Club Championships

(INDIANAPOLIS) America's top Elite Development Track & Field Clubs, led by the Indiana Invaders, finished a record first day at the USATF Club National Track & Field Championship in Bloomington, Indiana on July 2nd, 2004.

The Indiana Invaders posted 80 first day points in the men's competition with Greater Boston Track Club in second with 32 points, and Club Northwest tied with ConnQuest for third place with 20 points. The Invaders were led by Decathlete Alex Sprague with 12 points along with win's by Adrian Swanson, John Ngigi, Greg Yeldell, and Daniel Walden in the 400 hurdles, 5000 meters, triple jump, and 800, respectively.

In the battle for the women's team championship, the Indiana Invaders are on path to defend their 2003 team title with 69 points, with First Step TC in second at 34 points, and Greater Boston TC in third with 31 points. Invaders' Olympic Heptathlete DeDee Nathan is the current women's over-all point leader with 20 points. Invaders' Heather May, Hope Sanders, and Alicia Miller won the 5,000, 800, and 400 races, respectively. Five Invaders broke Club Championship records including Heather May (5000), John Ngigi (5000), Hope Sanders (800), and Greg Yeldell (Triple Jump).

Highlights of day one, of the fourth edition of the USA Club Championships, included 19 athletes hitting the US Olympic Trials qualifying standards and six new meet records. Olympian Robert Gary crushed the Olympic Trials "A" Standard in the 3000 steeple with a time 8:26.07. The men's 800 saw Christian Smith win in a time of 1:46.74 over Rob Myers (1:47.71), and Olympian Paul McMullen in third (1:48.02). Dan Taylor also broke the Olympic Trials "A" standard of 20.00 meters in the shot put (20.09).

Outstanding Club Championship Performers at the conclusion of Day One were Elzie Coleman, the winner of the 400 in 46.15 seconds, and Hope Sanders with her Club Championship 800 winning 2:05.21 in the 800.

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.