April 20, 2006
(INDIANAPOLIS) The Indiana Invaders, a not-for-profit organization founded in 1998, are entering their eighth full competitive season as a USATF club focused on elite athlete development. The Invaders are a resident-based club providing an athlete-centered support system unique to the sport in the United States.

The Invaders are entered into their eighth season looking to build upon seven years of athletic success. The Invaders over the past seven years have had more athletes in USA Track & Field & Cross Country Championship events than any other club in the United States. Arguably America's best USATF Track & Field Team, the Invaders have had one World Indoor Champion, one World Indoor Bronze medalist, one Olympian, eight USA National Champions, six US National Team members, and 121 athlete appearances at USATF national indoor and outdoor track & field championships.

As a model for true athlete development in the sport, the Invaders have supported the national and international pursuits of its athletes and have been a major presence in the recent revitalization of the US club system. As a club the Invaders have won nine Men's & Women's Track & Field and Cross Country National Club Championship titles in the last six years.

In their seven year history the Invaders have had athletes compete in virtually all of the marquee domestic events in the United States and in events throughout the world.

Invaders' athletes have competed on four continents at all levels of international competition including major events such as the Olympic Games, World Indoor & Outdoor Championships, VISA Tour events such as the Prefontaine Classic and the Millrose Games along with participation in several I.A.A.F. Grand Prix events. Over the past seven seasons the Invaders have produced nearly 15% of all club-affiliated performances at the USA Indoor & Outdoor Track & Field/Marathon/World Cross Country Team selection events.

The Indiana Invaders have also impacted the USATF National events calendar as the Invaders hosted events including the 2004 World Cross Country Team Trials and were critical hosts in the creation and founding of the USATF National Club Track & Field Championships in 2001 hosting the event for its initial four years (2001-2004).

In addition to hosting significant USATF Championships the Invaders have also created the highly successful annual American Milers Club High Performance Series in 2004 to provide high performance competitive opportunities for middle distance & distance athletes. The Indiana Invaders by entering into a regular communications relationship with several of America's finest elite development club's including the Big Sur Distance Project, Hansons-Brooks Distance Project, The Farm Team, Team USA Minnesota, Wisconsin Runner RT, and Zap Fitness the pursuit of domestic competitions for middle distance and distance athletes where competitions promote the attainment of national and international standards has been greatly improved for the developing elite athlete in the US. Collectively, the Invaders with the other clubs have been able to select and support venues & events that best serve developing and emerging elite athletes in their respective training groups.

Team Director Greg Harger said, "Looking back at our efforts over our first seven years, we have witnessed a lot of accomplishments and even more importantly we now see the foundation having been laid for the future of elite athlete development in our community. Both for our club and elite athlete development clubs in general in the US, we have a lot of work ahead of us in achieving our goals and full potential. The path that we have taken has not been the easiest, but it's been the right one. The path ahead holds many more challenges that we continue to eagerly prepare for as we pursue a functional elite development model and functional elite development club system in the USA." Harger added, "Essentially we have completed Phase One of our model and as we go forward with Phase Two we look to build the first International Development Track & Field Team right here in Indiana. Indiana has the facilities, technology, athletic talent, financial resources and coaching resources to achieve a continual Pursuit of Excellence and to bring home medals to Indiana for the benefit of all for years to come. As we develop additional support in our community for our club and our state's residents we look forward to significant growth and even greater athletic accomplishments through further innovation."

Who Are the Indiana Invaders?
http://www.indianainvaders.com/releases/00/who_are_the_invaders.asp

The Indiana Invaders, a not-for-profit organization founded in 1998, presents an innovative approach to track & field by providing a resident-based, athlete-centered support system unique to the sport in the United States.