Kelly French

NOVEMBER 27, 2000

(INDIANAPOLIS)-- Kelly French, of the Indiana Invaders, finished 10th in the 8,000 meter race at the 2000 Canadian National Cross Country Championships held November 25th at Centennial Park, Etobicoke, Ontario and qualified for selection to the Canadian National Team which will compete in the World Championships in Dublin, Ireland in March 2001.

French, a native of Barrie, Ontario and a graduate of Southern Illinois University, was among a group of 6 athletes that comfortably secured positions 5 through 10 which automatically makes them eligible for selection to the Canadian World Cross Country Team.

Unlike the US system for team selection, the Canadian National Team selection process involves additional factors such as demonstrated fitness and recent championship performances which affect the final decisions which determine the actual team. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, French will most likely represent her country in Dublin, Ireland next March. Final status of the Canadian National Team is expected in February one month prior to the World Championships.

"Kelly achieved one of the goals that we had set for her by qualifying for her national cross country team," said Invaders' Head Coach Chris Buhler. He added, "now she can turn her full focus onto training and race preparation for the World Championships, this is just another natural step forward for an athlete that has made a lot of sacrifices in order to earn an opportunity to compete on the international scene. It is great to see that in just two years we have seen a half dozen Invaders work hard to put themselves into the position where they are ready and expect to earn spots on their respective national teams."

In light of the most recent efforts of her teammates at the USA Fall Cross Country Championships, Kelly French may be joined by a few of her clubmates at the World Cross Country Championships where they would be representing the United States. The US World Championship Trials will be held in Vancouver, Washington during February, 2001.

2000 Canadian Cross Country Women's Championship Results:

1 COURTNEY BABCOCK MOUNTAIN WEST TC             27:36
2 SARAH DUPRE      CATARAQUI OPTOMIST TC        27:41
3 LISA HARVEY      CALGARY SPARTANS             27:56
4 NATHALIE COTE    OTTAWA LIONS TFC             28:19
5 AUNDREA BERTOIA  HERSHEY HARRIERS             28:47
6 SARAH DILLABAUGH OTTAWA LIONS TFC             28:49
7 SHERRI SMITH     TRACK NORTH ATHLETIC CLUB    28:52
8 TAMBRA DUNN      UTTC                         28:57
9 BARBARA BRYCH    ISLAND PACIFIC ATHLETICS     29:00
10 KELLY FRENCH    INDIANA INVADERS             29:02

Full meet results available at: http://www.athleticscanada.com/AthcanResults/00_canadiancrosscountry.html

For further information on the Indiana Invaders, please contact Greg Harger at (email).