HOT 3000 LIGHTS UP ANN ARBOR

January 22, 2000

BY Francie Goodridge
Athletics America

University of Michigan Red Simmons Invitational
Indoor Track & Field Meet

Ann Arbor -- With a packed fieldhouse making plenty of noise Nolan Swanson of Ann Arbor based Nike Athletics America qualified for the 2000 USA Indoor National Championships in winning the featured 3000 meter race at the 20th Annual Red Simmons Invitational.

Swanson, ranked 7th in the US by Track and Field News Magazine and who placed 6th in last summer's USA National Track and Field 10,000 meter Championships posted a winning 8:02.73 and dipped under the 8:03.00 National Qualifying Standard.

Jay Brock also of Nike Athletics America lead the field thru a 4:18 mile before Swanson took over and remained in front to the finish. Placing second was Paul McMullen(Saucony) in 8:04.67, followed by two Michigan Wolverines Jay Cantin(8:06.22), Mike Wisniewski(8:07.00), Swanson clubmates Ray Hughes(8:10.50)and Chad Johnson(8:12.90), Steve Lawrence,Michigan(8:17.71) and Nike Athletics America's Richie Brinker(8:18.80) and Mark Andrews(8:18.98).

Sam Barall(Nike AA) placed second in the mile in 4:13.29.

Nike Athletics America also claimed two other event winners with CMU grad Mari Chandler improving her personal best from 4:57 to 4:49.86 and Beth Bayser won the 600 meters in 1:32.51.

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