September 18, 2002
(INDIANAPOLIS) The Indiana Invaders have added two-time NAIA Champion Jacob Koczman, a graduate of Northwestern College (IA) and Urbandale High School (IA), to their team roster.

Koczman broke into the top 50 U.S. ranking for 400 meters in 2001 while setting four Northwestern College school records. Koczman played basketball for three years at Northwestern College before putting on his spikes for his first indoor track season as a senior in 2001.

It was during this 2001 indoor season that Koczman led his team to a fourth place finish at the NAIA Indoor Championships in the 4x400 relay after earning the NAIA Indoor 600 meter title. Koczman replicated this success during the outdoor season with a sixth place finish at the NAIA Outdoor Championships in the 4x400 relay and taking top honors as the 2001 NAIA Outdoor 400 meter Champion.

As a high school standout in Michigan, Koczman set the Millington High School 2-mile record. Koczman also attended Wheatridge High School in Denver, Colorado and eventually Urbandale High School in West Des Moines, Iowa where he graduated. Koczman competed at the high school state meets in both Michigan and Iowa

Koczman, who will be deferring Medical School admission in order to compete for the team, said, "With the Invaders, I'm looking forward to being in an elite-development environment where I can see what it is I'm made of and what my potential really is instead of just guessing."

Team Director Greg Harger said, "Koczman is a very exciting prospect in that he is so young in terms of total training years for his event." Added Harger, "We'll have to spend some time before we really know his event and that process is going to be OK as Jacob's response to the new training environment will determine the path we take over the coming seasons."

For additional information on Jacob Koczman visit:
http://www.indianainvaders.com/athletes/jacob_koczman.asp



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