Posted: July 5, 2004

Athletics: Invaders defend "triple crown" at Club Championships

INDIANAPOLIS - The Indiana Invaders successfully defended their "triple crown" win in the men's, women's and combined scoring at the USATF National Club Track & Field Championships July 2-3 in Bloomington, Indiana.

The Invaders posted 334 men's and women's combined points to the Greater Boston Track Club's 165, prevailing over 37 teams. Overall, 27 performances during the championships exceeded Olympic Trials qualifying standards, with three performances bettering the Olympic Trials "A" qualifying standard. The USA Club Championship record book saw eight meet records fall, with six of these performances turned in by the Indiana Invaders.

In men's competition, the Invaders won their second club team title on the strength of 10 wins - four relays and six individual titles. Greater Boston was runner-up, followed by the Kansas City Smoke.

In Invaders women's team won their third club title ('01, '03, '04), taking nine individual crowns and three relays. First Step Track Club of Jacksonville, Fla., was second, followed by Greater Boston.

Defending Olympic Trials heptathlon champion DeDee Nathan and former USATF intern Alex Sprague, representing the Indiana Invaders, earned Most Valuable Athlete honors, by scoring the most individual points at the Club Championships with 42.50 and 37.50 points, respectively.

Olympic Trials Qualifiers Hope Sanders and Zack Riley of the Invaders claimed Top Female & Male Performer honors. Sanders defended her national title in the club championships 800m with a record time of 2:05.11, while Riley landed an Olympic Trials qualifying throw of 69.88 meters for a new record in the hammer throw.

For full USATF Club National Track & Field Championship Results, visit: www.usatf.org/events/2004/USATFClubTFChampionships/schedule.asp.

2004 Top 15 Teams in Overall Scoring: 
 1) Indiana Invaders    334
 2) Greater Boston TC   165
 3) First Step TC       138
 4) Kansas City Smoke    81
 5) Central Illinois TC  59
 6) Lemans TC            53
 7) Roland International 41
 8) Lords of the Rings   40
 9) ConnQuest            34
10) Mid Atlantic Elite   33
11) Nike Farm Team       30
11) Ashland Elite        30
13) Syracuse Chargers    18
14) Reebok Boston        16
15) Greater Milwaukee TC 15

Top 10 Men's Teams:
 1) Indiana Invaders     167 
 2) Greater Boston TC     93
 3) Kansas City Smoke     81
 4) Club Northwest        54
 5) First Step Track Club 45
 6) ConnQuest             34
 7) Central Park TC       23
 8) Mid Atlantic Elite    22
 9) Ashland Elite         20
 9) Roland Intl           20

Top 10 Women's Teams:
 1) Indiana Invaders     167  
 2) First Step TC         93
 3) Greater Boston TC     72
 4) Lemans Track Club     50
 5) Central Illinois TC   36
 6) Lords of the Rings    34
 7) Roland International  21
 8) Farm Team             16
 9) Mid Atlantic Elite    11 
10) Bruin Track Club      10

From: USATF.org.