Drake Relays Director Mark Kostek & Kirt Thompson (right)

April 27, 2002
(INDIANAPOLIS) The Indiana Invaders' Olympic Javelin Thrower, Kirt Thompson, was the top performer in the javelin on Friday afternoon at the Drake Relays with a toss of 74.39. Thompson is one of three Olympians, on the Invaders squad, competing at the 93rd edition of the Drake Relays in Des Moines, Iowa on April 25-27, 2002.

Thompson, a two-time Olympic Qualifier and National Champion of Trinidad, was the NCAA Division II National Champion in 1993 & 1994 and was the USA National Club Champion at the inuagural USA National Track & Field Club Championships in 2001.

Thompson's big toss may have started a tradition of javelin victories for the Invaders at the Drake Relays. In 2001, Invaders' Jamie Strieter, a 2000 Olympic Trials competitor, was the top performer in the women's javelin field at the Drake Relays.

On Saturday, 15 Invaders will see action with a very visible presence in the field events. Marc Dzradosi, a graduate of Drake University competes in the triple jump. Dzradosi competed in the finals of the NCAA Outdoor Championships in 2001 and is a three time NCAA qualifier. Olympian DeDee Nathan along with teammates Jada Phelps and Pristina Jones will compete in the long jump.

The duo of Paula Serrano and Shannon Gallagher will pole vault. In the throws, Olympic Shot Putter Steve Ercegovac is joined by Toyinda Wilson, a two time Big Ten Hammer Throw Champion. Carri Long, a competitor on the US National Team in the 2001 World University Games competes in the high jump.

Now in its tenth decade, the Drake Relays had its 37th straight sellout of the Saturday program, in 2001, in the 18,000 seat Drake Stadium-the longest streak in U.S Track History.

The Drake Relays - America's Athletic Classic:
http://www.drakerelays.com

For additional information on the Indiana Invaders, please contact Greg Harger at 317 289-4018 or online at: (email)