(INDIANAPOLIS)-- The Indiana Invaders, in its first national cross country team competition, finished second in the women's race and eighth in the men's race and the Invaders' Collette Liss (Valparaiso, Ind.) captured the women's overall title at the 1999 Fall USA National Cross Country Championships on Sunday at El Dorado Park in Long Beach, Calif.

Liss, a '99 graduate of Valparaiso University, covered the 6,000 meter course in a winning time of 20:27. Runner-up Kim Fitchen, of the NIKE Farm Team, finished in 20:34.

The Indiana women's team had five runners combine for 80 points behind the NIKE Farm Team's dominating 21 points. The host FILA Track West team was third in the 15 team field with 87 points.

Following Liss's first place finish, the Invaders' were well represented by Kelly French (16th place), Stephanie Dueringer (17th), Lorilynn Hoffman (19), and Judy Porter (27).

The Invaders' men finished eighth in a field of 17 teams (192 points). The winning team was the Palo Alto, CA based NIKE Farm Team with a winning score of 28 points. The national runners-up, the Reebok Aggies, finished with 97 points. Leading the Invaders was Gareth Wilford (22nd) in 31:09. Wilford was followed by Kevin Collins (29th), Matt Sparks (33rd), Todd Moroney (37th), and Jim Sellers (71st).

Ray Appenheimer of the NIKE Farm Team was the men's individual national champion over the 10,000 meter course in a winnning time of 29:22. The individual runner-up, also from the NIKE Farm Team was Greg Jimmerson in 29:40.

"As a club we couldn't be happier with our first true team competition," said Coach Buhler. He added, "With our first appearance placing both the men's and women's squads in the top ten and having an individual champion, our total attention has shifted to the challenging task of growing a team capable of winning this championship in the coming years."

The Invaders, a not-for-profit organization, present an innovative approach to track and field by providing a resident-based, athlete-centered support system. Athletes have access to world-class training facilities, affordable housing, and a convenient means of travel to competitions.

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