JUNE 13, 2000

(INDIANAPOLIS)-- Go to the University of Illiniois on athletic scholarships. Compete and achieve relative collegiate stardom. Begin a professional career leaving track and field behind. Have athletic second thoughts. Join the Indiana Invaders. Qualify for Olympic Trials.

Simple enough, it's the route of achieving what was once nothing more than a dream for two members of the Indiana Invaders.

Hope Sanders (800 meters) and Daren McDonough (pole vault) produced personal best performances to qualify for the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials on Saturday, June 10 and Sunday, June 11th with outings at the Michigan International and Indiana USA Track and Field Championships respectively.

Sanders, a 1995 graduate and now a teacher/coach at Warren Central High School (Indianapolis), won the 800 meters with a 2:04.50. Her previous personal best was 2:05.61 from 1995.

McDonough vaulted 5.70 meters (18' 8") besting his personal best of 5.62 meters from 1994 to easily achieve the Olympic Trials standard of 5.60 meters.

The U.S. Olympic Trials will take place July 14-23 at Sacramento, Calif.

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

-II-