JUNE 22, 2000

(INDIANAPOLIS)-- With the 2000 U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials to begin in less than one month, 12 members of the Indiana Invaders have qualified for the meet and the chance to complete at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Austrailia. The Trials meet will take place July 14-23 in Sacramento, Calif.

DeDee Nathan, the 1999 World Indoor Heptathlon champion, leads the list with fellow multi-eventer Phil McMullen, who finished sixth in the decathlon at the 1998 U.S. Track and Field Championships, also qualfied for the Trials.

Other Invaders women that have qualified are: Angie Joy (discus throw), Collette Liss (1500 and 5000 meters), Hope Sanders (800 meters), Le'gretta Smith (400 hurdles), Jamie Strieter (javelin throw), and Leslie Vidmar (shot put).

Steve Parker

Joining McMullen in the men's field at the Trials will be: John McAfee (400 hurdles), Daren McDonough (pole vault), Stephen Parker (high jump), and Frankie Young (long jump).

Kelly French (1500 and 5000 meters) has qualified for the Olympic Trials in her native country of Canada, and Kirt Thompson (javelin throw) and Gareth Wilford (1500 meters) have achieved the Olympic Trials standard for their homelands of Trinidad and South Africa respectively.

"For a two year old club and this being our first Olympiad to have 12 athletes competing in our own Trials and 15 overall is humungous," said Invaders Head Coach Chris Buhler. He added, "This should tell all those looking at us that the model of the Invaders as a club works."

Olympic Trials qualifying marks may be achieved by Sunday, July 9.

Kevin Collins qualified and competed in the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials last month in Pittsburgh.

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

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