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Jacob Koczman
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INVADERS' RILEY, LONG & KOCZMAN ADVANCE TO OLYMPIC TRIALS FINALS
July 11, 2004
(INDIANAPOLIS) The Indiana Invaders' Zack Riley, Carri Long, and
Jacob Koczman had strong performances on day two of the 2004 U.S.
Olympic Team Track & Field Trials advancing them to the finals
of their respective events; Hammer Throw, High Jump, and 800 meters.
Riley threw 68.17 meters in the hammer throw and will compete on
Monday in the finals. Long cleared 1.82 meters in the high jump
and will also compete in the finals on Monday. Koczman will join
Riley and Long on Monday, as he advanced to the finals of the 800
with his time of 1:48.15 effort in the semi-finals.
Defending 2000 Olympic Trials Heptathlon Champion DeDee Nathan
was fifth in the heptathlon and will not represent the USA at this
summer's Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. This was Nathan's fourth
US Olympic Trials, and she has finished in the top five each time.
Nathan's career highlights included two fourth place finishes at the
Olympic Trials in 1992 and 1996. She went on to the Olympic Games
in Sydney in 2000 to finish ninth after her victory at the 2000
US Olympic Trials. Nathan is the also the current American Record
Holder in the pentathlon after she won the 1999 IAAF World Indoor
Championships.
Team Director Greg Harger said, "Nathan was in position to make the
Olympic Team and put up her best score in two years. Going out on top
would have been a story book conclusion to her career, but that
doesn't happen often on the competitive field. She's had a good ride
and she's ready to start the next chapter of her life. She'll hand
the baton on to the next generation and we are very fortunate to have
her planning to remain in our community and serve in a mentoring and
coaching capacity." Harger added, "Koczman did a great job in
navigating his way into Monday's finals. He's learning championship
racing and has an opportunity to make a mark for himself in the finals.
Riley and Long both put in solid efforts and advanced their way to
their finals. We expect a good outing from everyone on Monday."
After Monday's competition featuring Riley, Sanders, and Koczman
the Invaders will then see action again on Thursday after the two
day break in competition on Tuesday and Wednesday with Adam Shunk
competing in the High Jump and Greg Yeldell in the Triple Jump.
2004 U.S. Olympic Team Track & Field Trials Results:
http://www.usatf.org/events/2004/OlympicTrials-TF/schedule.asp
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