January 23, 2006
(INDIANAPOLIS) The Indiana Invaders have added stand-out long jumper Patricia Soman to the team's roster. Soman has a career best of 6.60 meters in the long jump.

Soman, a graduate of Ball State University, was an NCAA All-American in both the long jump and triple jump. She was a four event MAC Conference Champion (LJ, TJ, 100 and 200) and 2002-2003 Academic All-American. She also holds the indoor and outdoor Ball State records in both the long jump and triple jump. Soman is married to 2006 USA Indoor National Champion high jumper, Adam Shunk. Shunk, a member of the Indiana Invaders is now competing for NIKE.

Team Director Greg Harger said, "Soman is a great competitor and she represented Ball State well throughout her collegiate career. It's wonderful for our community to see her return to competition after several years away from the sport where she was settling in to her profession as an accountant." Harger added, "With the 2008 Olympic Season nearly here the focus for Soman is to take her training and competing to the necessary levels this year such that she can create opportunities for an Olympic experience in 2008."

Soman joins a team that had 16 athletes qualify for both the 2000 and the 2004 US Olympic Trials.

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.