Zachary Riley

October 21, 2003
(INDIANAPOLIS) The Indiana Invaders have added two-time NCAA All-American hammer thrower Zachary Riley, a graduate of Ball State University and Columbus North HS (IN), to the team's roster. Riley's best hammer throw performance of 67.15 in 2003 qualifies him for the 2004 US Olympic Trials.

Riley, ranked 20th in the US in 2003, jumped five spots from his 2002 ranking of 25th. Riley earned NCAA All American honors in the hammer throw in 2001 & 2002 and took a 11th place finish in the weight throw at the 2002 USA Indoor Championships. Riley was seventh at the 2002 NCAA Outdoor Championships in the hammer throw. Riley is also a three-time MAC Hammer Throw Champion ('00-'02) and is the Ball State University record holder in the hammer throw, weight throw, and shot put.

Riley will work with Invaders' Throws Coach Matt Gaston, who is also a two-time All-American in the hammer. Gaston commented, "Riley has the raw talent to throw well beyond his current range of 67 meters. It's going to be great to work with him."

Team Director Greg Harger said, "Riley has just begun to master the techniques involved in throwing competitively on a national and international level. He has a lot of potential and talent to work with and we are excited with his addition to the team."

Riley joins a roster that includes four Olympians and a team history that includes seven individual National Champions, one World Champion, one American Record, and they have had two American Record Holders or former record holders wear the Invaders' uniform since the formation of the club in 1998. The Invaders now have nine athletes currently qualified for the 2004 US Olympic Trials.

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