April 22, 2003
(INDIANAPOLIS) The Indiana Invaders are headed to the 94th edition of the Drake Relays in Des Moines, Iowa on April 24-26, 2002. The Invaders look to wrap up the April relay season at America's Athletic Classic with 13 athletes competing and are led by Olympians Kirt Thompson (Trinidad) and Tanko Braimah (Ghana).

Two-time Olympic Qualifier and National Champion of Trinidad, Olympian Kirt Thompson, returns as the 2002 Drake Relays Champion in the javelin (Friday). Olympian Tanko Braimah, will compete in the Invitational 200 (Saturday). Marc Drzadosi, a graduate of Drake University and three time NCAA Qualifier, also returns as a 2002 Drake Relays Champion in the triple jump (Saturday).

Two-Time NAIA Champion Jacob Koczman, of West Des Moines, will compete in the 800 along with teammate Hope Sanders (Saturday). Mary Duerbeck takes to Drake for her season opener in the 10,000. Brendon Falconer and Linise Gordon will compete in the decathlon and heptathlon, respectively (Wednesday & Thursday). Gordon, a USATF 400H finalist in 2002, will then hit the track on Saturday to face the competition in the Invitational 400 hurdles. Fellow hurdler, Brandon Hon, will compete in the Invitational 400 Hurdles (Saturday).

Pole vaulters Shannon Gallagher and Ebbie Metzinger will compete in a stacked invitational vaulting field that includes World Record Holder & Olympic Champion Stacy Dragila (Saturday). Carri Long, a graduate of Purdue University, will compete in the Invitational high jump field, a field that includes six of the top 10 high jumpers in the US (Saturday).

Team Director Greg Harger said, "The Invaders are fired up about the opportunity to compete in front of such a great audience. We're glad to be able to support meet director Mark Kostek in taking the Drake Relays to a higher level with changes beneficial to the sport and the event."

America's Athletic Classic - Drake Relays:
http://www.drakerelays.org/

For further information on the Indiana Invaders, please contact Greg Harger at 317 289-4018 or online at: (email)