February 14, 2000

(INDIANAPOLIS)-- Collette Liss, of the Indiana Invaders, finished seventh in the 4000 meter race at the 2000 World Cross Country Trials held February 13 at Bryan Park Golf Course in Greensboro, NC and qualified to represent the United States at the World Cross Country Championships to take place March 18-19 at Villamouca, Portugal.

Liss, of Valparaiso, IN and a 1999 graduate of Valparaiso University, was among a group of eight runners that separated from the field early.

She ran in fourth to sixth place through 2000 meters and was fifth at the 3500 meter mark. Liss completed the final 500 meters in 7th place with a time of 14:17. Deena Drossin, of Alamos, CO, won the race in 13:30.

The Indiana Invaders' Art Siemers, a graduate of Illinois State University, competed in the 4000 meter race on February 12 and finished 47th.

The top six finishers in each race automatically qualify to represent the United States in the World Cross Country Championships. With Drossin, also the winner of the 8000 meter race, committed to run only the 8000 meter race at the World Championships, Liss qualified for the team as the 7th place finisher.

"Collette achieved the goal we set for her and that was making the World Cross Country Team and her first national team," said Chris Buhler, Head Coach of the Indiana Invaders. He added, "This experience can do nothing other than help her preparation for the Olympic Trials this July."

The Indiana Invaders, a not-for-profit organization, present an innovative, resident-based, athlete-centered support system with access to world class facilities.

For further information, please contact Greg Harger.

-II-