July 15, 2000

(SACRAMENTO)-- DeDee Nathan, a graduate of Indiana University and a member of the Indiana Invaders, leads the women's heptathlon with 3747 points after four events on the first day of the U.S. Olympic Trials. Teammate Collette Liss, 1999 graduate of Valparasio University, automatically qualified for the finals of the 1500m with a second place finish in the third heat (4:11.90).

DeDee Nathan's coach Dave Martin stated before the start of the heptathlon that "If she is on, no one can compete with her". Apparently Invaders Head Coach Chris Buhler agrees with coach Martin after her first day of competition. "Sports fans stay tuned, we'll be putting our first athlete on the Olympic team tomorrow" said Buhler. DeDee finished in fourth at the '92 and '96 Olympic Trials barely missing a spot on the Olympic team on both occasions.

After her recent personal best in winning the Fifth Third Bank Clash for Cash, in Indianapolis on July 1st, Liss again was relaxed, focused, and ready to compete. "I planned to go out hard today for 800 meters and see where I was. I didn't want to have to fight anyone off at the end," said Liss.

The pole vault was full of disappointment for many including Daren McDonough of the Invaders who was unable to clear opening height in the qualifying round along with American record holder Jeff Hartwig.

In only their second year of competition the Invaders are seeking spots on the Olympic Team in front of crowds expected to exceed the 151,522 of the 1996 meet in Atlanta. With two of three Invaders successful on the first day of the U.S. Olympic Trials and 10 more athletes yet to compete the Invaders anticipate continued success.



Complete Results available at:
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