January 11, 2004
(INDIANAPOLIS) Indiana Invaders' Zack Riley, Carri Long, and Francesca Green hit national qualifying marks for the 2004 USA Indoor Championships in the weight throw, high jump, and long jump, respectively, at the Purdue Invitational, in West Lafayette Indiana on January 17, 2004.

Riley, improving on his previous qualifying mark of 20.52 last weekend, took second with a throw of 20.75. Carri Long, a graduate of Purdue, won the high jump with a clearance of 1.85. Francesca Green, a NCAA All-American from Washington State University, also hit the qualifying standard with her win in the long jump with a leap of 6.13. Green, returning to competition after two seasons off, also finished second in the 60 meters with a time of 7.63.

Also competing at Purdue in their season openers were Ebbie Metzinger with a win in the Pole Vault (3.96) and in her Invaders debut, Natasha Lothery finished 2nd in the 600 (1:35.86).

Masters stars for the Invaders, Robert Thomas and Sunder Nix opened their indoor seasons with a 2nd (Thomas, 1:21.16) and a 5th (Nix, 1:24.22)

At the Illinois Open, hosted by the University of Illinois, Brandon Hon won the 60 hurdles (8.03) and finished 2nd (48.94) in the 400 while 800 meter teammate Hope Sanders opened her season with a win the Mile (4:50.78). Also, posting a top finish was Shannon Gallagher with a second in the Pole Vault (4.10) and Jamey Sperle second in the 200 (22.23).

Team Director Greg Harger said, "Our athletes targeting USA Indoor Nationals are getting their qualifying marks out of the way with their early season meets. This provides the opportunity to focus on training and preparation for top efforts at indoor nationals. For the bulk of our roster this year has a different flavor to it as we focus on performing our very best in July at the Olympic Trials."

Currently, four Invaders are qualified for Indoor Nationals - Zack Riley (WT), Carri Long (HJ), Francesca Green (LJ) and Brandon Hon (60H). Since 1999, the Invaders have won one World Championships individual title, one USATF Indoor individual title, had three runner-up finishes, placed 11 in the top five, and placed 31 in the top 10.

Ten Invaders are qualified for for the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team Trials, in July, with Hope Sanders (800), Jacob Koczman (800), Donnie Fellows (10,000), Brandon Hon (110H), Carri Long (HJ), Adam Shunk (HJ), Greg Yeldell (TJ), Zachary Riley (HT), Kirt Thompson (JT), and defending Olympic Trials Champion DeDee Nathan in the heptathlon.