Nathan Brannen (left), Scott McGowan (right)

July 10, 2005
(INDIANAPOLIS) Day Two of the American Milers Club High Performance Series was impressive with two sub-3:38 performances in the 1500 and five sub-1:48 performances in the 800. Some of the fastest races on the North American continent this season were produced by NCAA Champions, Olympians, and top Indiana athletes going head-to-head.

Scott McGowan led the charge over the final 600 meters after the early pacesetter stepped of the track as a strong 1500 field pursued “3:36 pace”. The final 200 meters had McGowan in a narrow lead with a strong pace but then was nipped at the finish line by Nathan Brannen's time of 3:37.85 to McGowan's time of 3:37.99.

McGowan is this year's US Indoor Champion at 1500 meters. Brannen wins the first race of his professional debut after signing a shoe sponsor contract and forgoing his remaining collegiate eligibility at the University of Michigan. AMC Series Day One winner Ryan McKenzie took third with a time of 3:40.05.

The 800 was won by Jebreh Harris with a time of 1:46.77 outgunning Olympian Derrick Peterson (1:47.09) to the finish. Series Day One winner, Olympian Prince Mumba (Zambia), took sixth (1:48.16). Invaders’ Jacob Koczman was ninth (1:48.60) and Ricardo Bell was tenth with a career best of 1:48.62.

The finale of the American Milers Club High Performance Series will be on July 12th in Center Grove, Indiana. McGowan returns along with Olympians Julius Achon in the 1500 and Prince Mumba in the 800. Jebreh Harris also returns to defend his series leading 800 meter time of 1:46.77.

In two days of the American Milers Club High Performance Series a total of 21 performances bettered the 2005 US Outdoor Championship qualifying standards (8 on day one, 13 on day two). Additionally, there have been 11 Life Time Best athlete performances and 26 marks that are the equivalent of a “sub-4 Minute Mile” when you include comparisons of the 800 and Steeple.

Meet Director Greg Harger said, "The races were very solid. They ran aggressively from the beginning for the most part and the results speak for themselves. We're fortunate to have a world-class facility with knowledgeable and supportive staff here in Bloomington to support our hosting of a portion of this event series. Indiana University athletics and the IU Track & Field program helped make this event possible on the first two days." Harger added, "We'll see many of the athletes returning on Tuesday to go for one last round of high performance racing. We look forward to building this series into something very special on the domestic calendar in coming years."

American Milers Club High Performance Series:
http://www.nftl.net/events/2005/american_milers.asp

The American Milers Club High Performance Series is an outgrowth of meets hosted by the Indiana Invaders in 2004 to meet the needs of Elite Athlete Development programs from throughout the country. For the July 12th meet there will also be open and community races at the venue.