July 16, 2002
(INDIANAPOLIS) Fans will have the opportunity to see six of the world's best athletes in competition at the USA National Track & Field Club Championships in Bloomington, Indiana on July 20, 2002. Three of the six Olympians competing - DeDee Nathan, Kirt Thompson, and Steve Ercegovac - are on roster of the home team, the Indiana Invaders.

The Olympic Trio of Nathan, Thompson, and Ercegovac will lead the Invaders in their quest to defend their overall National Team Title and Women's Team Title while battling to win the Men's Team Title, claimed by Nashville Elite in 2001.

Nathan, a two-time national champion in the heptathlon and American Record holder in the pentathlon, will compete in shot put, javelin, and in the relays. Thompson, a two time Olympian, will throw the javelin. Ercegovac, an eight time Croatian National Champion, is the NAIA National Recordholder in the shot put. Ercegovac will battle for points in the shot put and discus.

Olympic Gold Medalist Derrick Adkins will represent New York Elite by competing in his speciality, the 400 meter hurdles. Adkins, in addition to winning the Olympics in 1996, won gold medals at the 1995 World Championships, the 1994 and 1995 U.S. Outdoor Championships, the 1994 Goodwill Games and the 1993 World University Games.

Nathan will face rival heptathlete, Olympian Shelia Burrell, in the shot put. In June, Burrell edged out Nathan to win the heptathlon title at the US Outdoor Championships. Burrell will also compete in the 200 and high jump.

Olympian Floyd Heard, ranked third in the world in the 200 in 2000, will compete in both the 100 & 200 and is the number one seed in both events coming into the Club Championships.

Club Championships - Teams Competing:
http://www.indianainvaders.com/meets/2002/02_clubs5.asp

Club Championships - Meet Entry Lists:
http://www.indianainvaders.com/meets/2002/02_clubs6.asp

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