Sprague and Falconer Linise Gordon

March 6, 2003
(INDIANAPOLIS) The Indiana Invaders have three athletes competing at the USA Indoor Combined Events Championships on March 8-9, 2003 at the Eddie Smith Fieldhouse on the campus of the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, NC. Brendon Falconer and Alex Sprague will compete in the heptathlon and Linise Gordon will tackle the pentathlon.

Beginning in 1999, the Invaders have had a history of success in the combined events with DeDee Nathan setting an American Record in route to winning the gold medal in the pentathlon at the 1999 IAAF World Indoor Championships, in Maebashi, Japan. Nathan, in winning the 2000 Olympic Trials, finished ninth at the Olympic Games, in Sydney Australia. Nathan also won the 2001 heptathlon national championship and finished second in 2002. Invaders male and female athletes combined have placed five in the top 10 indoors and five in the top 10 outdoors in the combined events since 1999.

Falconer, who after taking a year off from competition, is an Olympic Trials qualifier and the fourth place finisher at the 2001 USA Indoor Combined Events Championships.

Sprague, a graduate of Bowling Green State University and Defiance High School (OH), Sprague holds BGSU school records in the decathlon, heptathlon, and pentathlon in addition to holding the Mid-American Conference (MAC) record of 5467 points in the heptathlon. This will be Sprague's first USATF national championship appearance.

Coach Aron McGuire said, "The men have a solid base of training and look for strong performances this weekend. It is very realistic to expect a top 10 performance from both."

Gordon, a graduate of Ball State University, makes the transition to the combined events as a 400 meter hurdler. Gordon finished eighth in the 400 hurdles at the 2002 USA Outdoor Championships. This is Gordon's first appearance at the national championships in the combined events. Gordon also holds National Club Championship titles in the 400 hurdles ('02) and in the triple jump ('01). Gordon finished in the top three of four events at the 2002 USA National Club Championships (100H, 400H, HJ, and JT) in addition to leading the Invaders to a team title in the 400 meter relay.

McGuire commented, "Gordon is continuing her second year of doing the combined events. She's making some very good progress. If she can put all five events together she will have a really good score this weekend at Nationals. Regardless of the outcome the experience will be very beneficial. For her, training for the pentathlon during the Indoor season will help her power outdoors in the 400 hurdles and improve her opportunities in the heptathlon."

Team Director Greg Harger said, "The opportunity to represent the community and the nation at the World Championships and/or the Olympic Games is the ultimate goal and focus for our athletes." Harger added, " This weekend will be a very competitive step along the path that these athletes must master in order to give themselves the best possible opportunity in the coming months and years of their athletic careers."

2003 USA Indoor Combined Events Championships:
http://www.usatf.org/events/2003/USAIndoorCombinedEventsChampionships/

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