The USATF National Club Track & Field Championships, hosted by the Indiana Invaders, will feature the highest level of elite track and field team competition in the United States in Bloomington, Indiana on July 19, 2003.

The battle in Bloomington will feature defending Triple Crown Champions, Greater Boston Track Club, against the home team, the Indiana Invaders, and over twenty leading teams from across the United States. Spectators will have an opportunity to see the growth of team rivalries with this battle for national team championship titles.

Greater Boston returned to Boston, MA in 2001 with a fourth place finish. After redoubling their efforts in 2002 they brought home the ultimate prize in team track & field competition, the Traveling Helmet Trophies, and they became the first ever triple crown winners of the USATF National Club Track & Field Championships as they won the men's, women's, and combined team titles.

Greater Boston Sprint Coach David Callum said, "We intend to repeat as champions. As we finished up the relays last year at Club Nationals, my 2003 goal was forged. To return and do it again, that's the goal, take the 2003 title, and bring the helmets back to Boston! We want the helmets another year." Callum added, "This meet gives clubs the opportunity for national exposure and it provides a goal for the year. It's also been very helpful in developing sponsorship relationships. In the past 12 months we have added Saucony as a club sponsor and event sponsor. We have also added Carb-BOOM as the Official Energy Gel supplier for the Greater Boston Track Club."

Joshua Seeherman, longtime member of Greater Boston commented, "The club championship has certainly been beneficial in that it created a new final goal-oriented meet. It's great that clubs now have their own separate championship seasons (for us, New Englands, East Regionals, and finally Club Nationals), as opposed to before when the season simply drifted away. Especially in the sprints/jumps/throws, winning and retaining the championship "helmets" has become a number one priority." Seeherman added, "It is of the utmost importance that we attend and support a national club championship. The club system is where our success has always and will continue to come from. There are many who sit back and complain about the lack of post- collegiate opportunities, but it is those who take action and affect change that will succeed - and a revitalized club system will lead the way."

Another contenting club, Club Northwest, returns to the championship after finishing third in 2002 which improved on their seventh place finish in 2001. Club Northwest Executive Director Brad Barquist commented, "Club Northwest is really excited about competing in this event. We are excited about the Club Championship Series and the track championship in particular. We want to continue supporting the growth of this event. Everyone had a blast last year and we can't wait to get back to compete. For Scott Boothby, the top male performer of the championship last year, its added fuel to the fire for him to be able to go after a PR in the hammer at the national club championship."

Lords of the Rings, based in Wisconsin, finished only five points behind Club Northwest last year to capture fourth place in only its second year of existence. Lords of the Rings' President Luke Hilgers added, "Our immediate goal is to improve on last year's performance. The Club Championships have encouraged us to expand our membership beyond the throwing events and we are looking forward to expanding our roster to other event areas to be competitive at the Club Championships."

The inaugural championship in 2001 brought together 21 clubs representing a membership base of over 12,000 from communities in 16 states. The year 2002 saw a 75% increase in athlete participation with the clubs competing. The results from 2003 will be watched closely for increases in actual numbers and the level of competition but most importantly the growth and development of team rivalries that yield stronger teams overall is the key to the further advancement of the value of the Championships to USATF and the Club Championship Series.

Meet Director & Team Director for the Indiana Invaders Greg Harger said, "The Club Championship is a critical element of any plan to grow a club system in this country and it is an honor for us to host this event again." Harger added, "Competitively we look forward to the pursuit of championship honors as we owe all competing teams our best athletic effort. I'm most encouraged by the approach our athletes are taking to the championships as most are taking the position that the meet is about winning as a team and that actual marks are secondary. We look forward to posting our team entries very soon. Our entries and approach should be indicative of the value of team pride and emerging rivalries. The Greater Boston Track Club and their outstanding performance in 2002 is the standard that we are pursuing and we are fully confident that we are not the only team with this mind-set for the 2003 Championships. It will be an exciting event with many teams extending themselves in the spirit of team competition."

The Haugh Track and Field Complex has 3,100 permanent seats, with additional lawn seating, and was the site for the 1997 NCAA Division I Championships. The Club Championships, hosted by the Invaders, will return to Bloomington again in 2004 on July 3rd.

2002 USA Club Championships Highlights: www.indianainvaders.com/releases/02/02-07-21tr.asp

The Indiana Invaders, a not-for-profit organization founded in 1998, presenting an innovative approach to track & field by providing a resident-based, athlete-centered support system unique to the sport in the United States. For further information on the Indiana Invaders, please contact Greg Harger at (317) 289-4018 or by e-mail at greg.harger@indianainvaders.com.