(INDIANAPOLIS) - The Indiana Invaders have collected their first gold medal and an American Record.

The women's indoor pentathlon and outdoor heptathlon had been dominated for the last decade by Jackie Joyner-Kersee and her retirement from track & field last year opened the door for Nathan to claim the title. She not only claimed the title she established a new American Record in the process, smashing the U.S. record of 4,632 points set by Kym Carter in 1995.

Irina Belova, of Russia, was second with 4,691 points and Urszula Wlodarczyk, of Poland, was third with 4,696 points.

Nathan completed the first two events with personal best performances. Her time of 8.26 seconds in the 60 meter hurdles and jump of 1.86 meters in the high jump set the tone for her dramatic finish. She also finished first in the third event, with a multi-event personal best, in the shot put with a toss of 15.10 meters and was third with an indoor multi-event best of 6.24 meters in the long jump. Her time, in the fifth and final event of the one day competition, of 2:18.98 in the 800 meters was good for second place and another indoor personal best.

"This achievement by DeDee is the result of a solid support network provided by DeDee's strength and throws coach, John Smith, her training partner and World Championship Teammate, Connie Price-Smith, and the diverse coaching talents of our Invaders' coaching staff," said Invaders Head Coach Chris Buhler. He added, "Many of us have known that DeDee has had the talent and now she has the ideal support system."