Furman Invitational elite mile coordinator Mickey McCauley announced the addition of Indiana Invaders Hunter Spencer to the April 7 field.
"I am pleased to announce that Hunter Spencer who runs for the Indiana Invaders and coached by Greg Harger will be joining the Furman Invitational Blues Shoes Elite Mile field," McCauley said Tuesday morning. "Hunter is a 2004 University of Kentucky Grad with a personal best time of 3:40.91 for 1500 meters. 2006 best include Mile (road) - 3:59.2, 1500 - 3:45.65(i), 1500 - 3:44.77.
Career Highlights: Fifth Avenue Mile - 9th ('06), USA Indoor Championships - 1500 (5th) ('06), USA World Cross Country Trials 4K - 20th ('06)."
Read more about Spencer at indianainvaders.com.
"We have 12 athletes committed to the field. Flynn Sports will be securing a rabbit over the next several weeks and we may add one or two quality athletes to the field," said McCauley.
"We are very excited and pleased with the quality athletes we have been able to attract. I believe the field we have assembled will provide an exciting four or faster minutes for the spectators."
The meet includes high school competition in the morning, the elite mile and open Blue Shoes miles, followed by college competition. Also taking place that day is the Furman 5k at 9 a.m.
Friday night, Dave Wottle, winner of the 800-meter 1972 Olympic gold medal, is the featured dinner speaker to start off the weekend called "Track Extravaganza."
Blue Shoes is a scholarship fundraiser for the Furman University cross country and track and field programs.
Indiana Invaders coach/director Greg Harger talks about event
scrunners: When and how did you receive word about the Furman Elite Mile?
harger: Early February this race was brought to my attention by Coach Pete Rea. I contacted Mickey on Coach Rea's recommendation.
scrunners: What kind of preparation will take place leading up to the meet?
harger: We will continue on our planned preparation for the 2007 outdoor season. We are focused on the 1500 and USA Nationals in June
along with the posting of an 2008 Olympic Trials Qualifying mark this season.
scrunners: What were Hunter's first reactions and how was the decision made to participate?
harger: This opportunity was a pleasant surprise in terms of finding a quality 1500/Mile race early what with our "blowing off" the indoor season in
favor of focused training and racing in the 2007 outdoor season as it relates to our plans for the 2008 season and the 2008 Olympic Trials in particular.
scrunners: Will you attend the meet, and what do you see happening with a strong field at the event?
harger: No, I will not attend the meet. As with any race of this nature if enough people go to the line prepared to run fast... someone will run fast. I expect Hunter to race the field and as long as the field does not have a collective mental lapse early or in the middle then things should be fast and competitive with respect to athletes posting USA National Qualifying marks and Olympic Trials Qualifying marks (assuming that the meet times 1500 meter times "en route" as Mile times will not be accepted for Trials qualifying marks).
Elite mile entries
Sam Burley
Brandon Hudgins
Kyle King
Ryan Kleimenhagen
Patrick Morgan
Thomas Morgan
Brendan O'Keefe
Hunter Spencer
Palmer Thomas
Adam Van Nortwick
Alan Webb
Dan Wilson