MAY 11, 2000

(INDIANAPOLIS)-- Collette Liss (Valparaiso) will join the former American record holder and an Olympian in the Oregon Twilight track and field meet's 5,000 meter run to take place Saturday, May 13 at the University of Oregon's famed Hayward Field. Liss, who finished runner-up in the mile at the USA Indoor Championships and was the top American finisher in the 4k run at the World Cross Country Championships this winter, will be joined by an elite field of women distance runners in a race two months prior to the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials in Sacramento, Calif., to take place July 14-23. Highlighting the field of 18 runners will be Amy Rudolph, a former NCAA champion, 1996 Olympian and a 1997, '99 World Championships qualifier in the 5,000 meters and also is a two-time U.S. cross country champion.

Other headliners in the field are Leigh Daniel (Texas Tech and '99 NCAA 10,000 meter champion); Elva Dryer ('99 world championships qualifier in 5,000 meters and five-time NCAA Division II champ); and Marla Runhan ('99 World championships qualifier in 1,500 meters and 2000 USA Indoor champion at 3,000 meters).

"This race will be a particularly important test for Collette in advance of the Olympic Trials," said Invaders Head Coach Chris Buhler. He added, "The field is very strong and Collette has demonstrated herself very competitive among runners of this calibre. It will be interesting to see how she performs."

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For general information, please call Greg Harger at 317/274-9749.

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