May 18, 2004
(INDIANAPOLIS) The Indiana Invaders' High Performance Track & Field Series has added an invitational track & field meet, the Big Red National Invitational, to be held in Bloomington Indiana on June 26th and June 29th, 2004. As the final event in the Invaders' High Performance Track & Field Series, the meet takes place less than two weeks before the US Olympic Team Trials and immediately before the USATF National Club Track & Field Championships.

The Big Red National Invitational, hosted by Indiana University Track & Field and the Indiana Invaders, is a two day invitational-only high performance track & field meet featuring select events. This event is a "Family Friendly, Spectator Friendly" competition featuring a high energy presentation style produced by NFTL, Inc., an innovative track & field production company.

Fans have an opportunity to see Olympic Trials qualifying efforts that will include top athletes from the NIKE Farm Team, the Wisconsin Runner Racing Team, and the Indiana Invaders.

The Big Red National Invitational offers athletes multiple opportunities to hit Olympic qualifying standards just prior to the USATF National Club Track & Field Championships, on Friday & Saturday July 2-3. With the qualifying window for the Olympic Trials closing on July 1st, the Club Championships have been given an exemption beyond this window and are designated as the "Final" last-chance opportunity for Olympic Trials qualifying efforts. This means there are four days of Olympic Qualifying efforts, top athletes, top teams, and the top team scored track & field championship in the United States to be held in Bloomington, Indiana over the course of 7 days. The USATF National Club Track & Field Championships are also hosted by the Indiana Invaders.

Final details on the Big Red National Invitational will be released on May 19th. The Indiana Invaders' High Performance Track & Field Series also includes the Big Blue National Invitational, a finals-only event, that takes place on June 11-12th, 2004 in Hillsdale, Michigan.

The High Performance Track & Field Series Director Greg Harger said, "This is an incredible opportunity for fans and athletes alike, as there will be some outstanding performances and competitive efforts featuring some of America's top athletes. With commitments from the NIKE Farm Team and the Wisconsin Runner Racing Team and numerous top collegiate athletes from the Midwest, we have the beginnings of a historic event taking shape." Harger added, "It will be an awesome four days of competition. Olympians will face future Olympians, veterans will square up against rookies, Champions will be crowned at the USATF Club Championships and we will likely see some unexpected break-through performances from these athletes. This is the last opportunity for fans to experience the spirit of this Olympic Season in the State of Indiana." Harger also commented, "Our relationship with producing this event with Indiana University Track & Field will facilitate future events within our Indiana Track & Field community beyond the obvious opportunities of growing this High Performance Track & Field Series in the coming years.

BIG RED National Invitational Information:
http://www.nftl.net/events/2004/big_red.asp

Big Blue National Invitational Information:
http://www.nftl.net/events/2004/big_blue.asp

Athlete & Team Registration for the Indiana Invaders' High Performance Track & Field Series is available online via NFTL:
http://www.nftl.net/meets/index.asp