Michigan International Olympic Development
High Performance Track Invitational - June 10th


June 2nd, 2000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT: John Goodridge

PRESS RELEASE

Ann Arbor - RITZENHEIN ENTERS MICHIGAN INTERNATIONAL 5000 METERS

Rockford High School's outstanding distance runner Dathan Ritzenhein has been accepted into the 5000 Meter field of the June 10 Michigan International Olympic Development Track Invitational to be held at the Plymouth-Canton Track facility located on Joy Road in Canton beginning at 7PM. Admission is $5.00 at the Gate.

Dathan Ritzenhein, a junior at Rockford High School, is the 1999 Footlocker Cross Country National Champion. Dathan set Michigan High School state records in the 1600 (4:05.9) and 3200 (8:41.10) meters during the 2000 track season. Rockford Head Coach Jim Baker confirmed Ritzenhein's entry reporting that he, Assistant Coach Brad Prins and Dathan have cast an eye on the U.S. Olympic Trials 5000 Meter Qualifying standard of 13:47.00.

The Michigan International 5000 Meter field includes four Americans who have already qualified for the Sacramento Trials which begin July 13. Jeff Simonich of the host Nike Athletics America club has a best of 13:45 while Kyle Baker and Jim Jurcevich representing Hanson's and Chad Johnson of Nike Athletics America have all qualified in the 10,000 Meters. Joining the field is Sammy Nyamongo from Kenya.

The Michigan International is USATF certified and hosted by Athletics America. Nike is the primary sponsor of Athletics America and the Michigan International.

Other outstanding events on the schedule include the Men's Mile which features Kevin Sullivan, Canada's World Championship middle distance runner who was the fifteenth fastest miler in the world last year, 1996 U.S. Olympian Paul McMullen and Kenyan Amos Kipyegon. The Women's 1500 highlights Collette Liss the U.S.A. Indoor National Mile runnerup while the Men's 800 showcases Trinity Townsend, the seventh ranked American at 800 meters in 1999 and the Men's 400 Meters presents Nigerian Clement Chukwu, the fifteenth fastest 400 meter runner in the world last year.

States Meet Director John Goodridge, " The Michigan International is a great opportunity for the Michigan running community to come to Canton to make a statement of support for our sport and Back Track."

Admission is $5.00 with proceeds towards Olympic Development funding.

Athletics America is a non-profit 501C tax deductible organization based in Ann Arbor. Athletics America is coached/directed by Francie and John Goodridge. Francie is the first Michigan woman to make a United States Olympic Team(1968 Mexico City 800 and 1972 Munich 1500). She is a member of the Michigan Track Hall of Fame and University of Michigan Hall of Honor. She is a former American and World Record-holder. John has coached eighteen athletes that have represented the US in international competition including two medalists. Five of their Athletics America athletes have already qualified for the Olympic Trials.

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