Shannon Gallagher Mary Danner

February 8, 2003
(INDIANAPOLIS) The Indiana Invaders dominated Kent State's Doug Raymond Invitational in Kent, Ohio on February 8th, 2003. Overall, the Invaders won five events, had 15 top three finishes, swept the top 3 spots in the men's 800, set three field house records (PV, 400, & 800), and had four athletes hit USATF national qualifying marks (400, 2 x 800, & PV).

Shannon Gallagher, a graduate of Kent State and Springfield High School (OH), led the Invaders charge by setting a field house record in the pole vault with a clearance of 4.20. Gallagher's winning performance is also a USATF national qualifying mark.

Mary Danner, also setting a new field house record, qualified for the USATF Indoor Championships with her winning performance of 54.18 in the 400. Hope Sanders crushed the 800 field with a national qualifying mark of 2:05.54. Jacob Koczman, in setting a new field house record in the 800, led a 1-2-3 sweep of the 800 with his national qualifying mark of 1:49.93. Koczman was followed by teammates Daniel Walden in second and Eddie Nehus in third.

Linise Gordon won the 60 hurdles with a performance of 8.55. Amber Plowden took second in the 60 (7.68) and second in the 200 (24.28), which was a mere 8/100's of a second from qualifying her for indoor nationals. Plowden was closely followed by Gordon who took third in the 200. Brandon Hon took second in the 60 hurdles (8.03) and Tanko Braiham also took second in the 60 with a mark of 6.89. Frankie Young finished third in the long jump (7.28) and Charlie Smith took third in the 400 (49.12).

Team Director Greg Harger said, "We look forward to returning to this meet next year. Kent State has an excellent facility." Added Harger, "I'm very satisfied with how we performed this weekend. We had some very competitive performances."

Currently, seven Invaders - Gallagher (pole vault), Danner (400), Sanders (800), Koczman (800), Tameka Borders (60 & 200), Brandon Hon (60 hurdles), Carri Long (high jump), and Greg Yeldell (triple jump) - are qualified for the USA Indoor National Championships that will be held in Boston, Massachusetts on February 28-March 2, 2003.

Doug Raymond Invitational - Complete Results:
http://dept.kent.edu/athletics/mtrack/mt020803.html

The Invaders will have athletes competing at Iowa State and at the Cannon IV Classic hosted by Butler University next weekend with focus of capturing additional qualifying marks.

Butler University - Cannon IV Classic:
http://butlersports.ocsn.com/sports/c-track/spec-rel/042602aaa.html

Iowa State University - Iowa State T&F Classic:
http://cyclones.ocsn.com/sports/c-itrack/iast-c-itrack-body.html

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