January 16, 2012

(Indianapolis, IN) The Indiana Invaders contested their first championship distance races of the 2012 Indoor Season at the University of Kentucky Invitational with a sweep of the top three times in the Men's 800 meter races.

Section One of the Men's 800 saw James "Jimmy" O'Brien, finish fast over the final 200 meters to win at the line (race video) in a personal season best opening time of 1:51.02.

Section Two of the Men's 800 had Invaders newcomers Drake Sterling and Jason Springer controlling their race from the front as they finished first and second (race video).  As with O'Brien, Sterling and Springer finished with personal best season opening marks.  Sterling and Springer's finish times, 1:50.45 & 1:51.03 respectively, left the Invaders with the top three times of the meet. Sterling's time was also a Life Time Best for 800 meters.

Ricardo Bell struggled in his season debut at 800 experimenting with an even split race strategy. Nathanael Browning was a last minute scratch in the 400 meter race due to an irritated achilles tendon.

Coach Greg Harger said, "We had three good competitive outings at 800 meters and all three of these efforts had plenty of room for improvement as is typical for initial season outings". Harger added, "Tactically we answered a question for Bell as he continues to near a level of fitness not seen since his surgery a couple years ago.  A little more speed work and he will be back in the mix at 800. Browning made a tough but smart call in backing away from the start of his race given his nearly complete recovery from a ruptured achilles tendon last season. It is a long season and we are just underway".

The Indiana Invaders, a not-for-profit organization competing at USA National Championships since 1999, provide a resident-based, athlete-centered support system based in Indianapolis, Indiana.