Six participants of the 2008 edition of the Midwest Distance Gala, including two event champions, will take part in the two national indoor track and field championships this coming weekend. 

Leading the way are '08 winners Tommy Brinn (Sr., Otsego, MI) and Bobby Nicolls (Sr., Regis, CO).  Brinn won the 800m at last year's MDG in 1:51.07 and is one of the favorites in the 800m dash at Nike Indoor Nationals.  Nicolls will also compete at NIN, testing his talents in the two mile, a distance he was victorious at MDG '08, running a new meet record of 9:03.04.

Other top contestants at Nike Indoor Nationals are Christian Brandstetter (Sr., McMurray, PA) in the boys 800m, Danny Nicolls (Jr., Regis, CO) in the boys two mile and Lindsay Flanagan in the girls two mile.  Brandstetter finished fifth in the 'B' heat at 800m at least year's Distance Gala in 1:56.62, while Nicolls finished eighth in the two mile in 9:36.63 and Flanagan finished fifth in the mile at 5:07.62.  Flanagan, after finishing as a Foot Locker all-American this past fall, will vie for a top three finish at NIN.

The lone Distance Gala alum at the National Scholastic National Championships is Michael Atchoo (Sr., Troy, MI).  Atchoo placed seventh in the mile last year in 4:15.74, and ranks as the number four returnee in the event.  He is entered in the mile this coming weekend.

The Midwest Distance Gala is strongly heading into its fifth year and we are proud of all of the past athletes that have competed over the four past years.  Best of luck to Tommy, Bobby, Lindsay, Danny, Christian and Michael this coming weekend!