Chris Thomas

April 29, 2007
(INDIANAPOLIS) The Indiana Invaders opened the outdoor track season with four athletes posting qualifying marks for the 2007 USA Championships and the 2008 Olympic Trials. Chris Thomas and Ron Andrews ran qualifying times in the 110 meter hurdles, Jacob Koczman exceeded the qualifying standards in the 800 while Adam Shunk jumped a national mark in the high jump.

Kicking off the weekend's meets in Indianapolis, the Invaders had strong performances at the Indy Relays, hosted by Butler University. The 110 meter hurdles saw Chris Thomas and Ron Andrews hitting the USA qualifying standard with times of 13.64 and 13.78 seconds respectively while finishing first and second in the competition. Thomas followed up his personal best time hurdle victory by winning the 200 meters, also in a personal best time. Additional Indy Relays note: Jamey Sperle finished third in the 200 meter final as he enters the early stages of his return to form from an on and off injury sequence.

Wrapping up Saturday's competitive performances for the Invaders was a fist full of athletes competing at the Drake Relays, in Des Moines Iowa. Adam Shunk, a member of the USA World Indoor Championship Team in 2006 and competing under a NIKE affiliation, finished third in the high jump with a USA and Olympic Trials Qualifying standard performance of 2.26 meters. Joining Shunk with both USA National and Olympic Trials qualifying marks was 800 meter teammate, Jacob Koczman. Koczman finished sixth in a time of 1:48.30.

Rounding out the Top Five finishes at the Drake Relays for the Invaders athletes were Hunter Spencer taking third in the Mile, pole vaulter Pat Manson fifth at 5.36 meters and Julia Rudd took fifth in the 3000 steeple with a performance of 10:27.36.

Team Director Greg Harger said, "In reality with the recent weather in the Midwest, this was essentially our team's season outdoor opening weekend. Through Saturday's competition it was a good weekend where we had four Invaders hitting qualifying standards for the USA Championships that will be held in Indianapolis this June." Harger added, "The training, the patience, and the desire to pursue excellence showed itself for these athletes. We're looking for a great season of performances for each of these athletes as we all prepare for the 2008 Olympic Season. As soon as Sunday results are in we expect additions to the Invaders list of Olympic Trials qualified athletes."

The Indiana Invaders had 16 athletes qualify for both the 2000 and the 2004 US Olympic Trials. Currently, seven Invaders athletes have posted Olympic Trials qualifying marks for the 2008 US Olympic Trials. Since 1999 the Invaders have had one IAAF World Indoor Champion, one IAAF World Indoor Bronze Medalist, eight USA National Champions, one USA Olympic Team Member, nine USA National Team Members and 132 USA National Championship Qualifiers.

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.