Posted: December 12, 2005

Athletics: Andrew Carlson Joins Team USA Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS - (Dec. 7, 2005) - Team USA Minnesota has selected Andrew Carlson to join the post-collegiate distance training center based in Minneapolis-St. Paul. Carlson is a 2005 graduate of the University of Minnesota, where he ran cross country and track. The All-American for the Golden Gophers is the school record holder in the 5000 meters (13:44.64).

His career highlights at Minnesota include two-time runner-up in the Big Ten outdoor 5000 meters, 2002 and 2004 Midwest Region Cross Country champion, two-time cross country All-American, 2005 team captain in track, and All-America honors in the 10,000 meters at the NCAA Championships. He also has the second fastest time in the 10,000 (28:56.59) in school history. Carlson set his personal bests in the 5000 and 10,000 in the spring of 2005.

After completing his eligibility at Minnesota, Carlson competed in the USA Outdoor Championships last June in the 5000, and posted 14:04 in the 5K on the roads at the Chileda Classic. He also finished eighth in the Crazy 8's 8K last summer in 23:54. Carlson began training with Team USA Minnesota in November.

"Andrew is a great addition to our training group," said Team USA Minnesota coach Dennis Barker. "He has developed well at the University of Minnesota and has the necessary talent to be one of the top distance runners in the country."

Carlson is a native of Fargo, N.D., and a graduate of Fargo South High School where he was a four time all-state honoree and a North Dakota state cross country champion.

About Team USA Minnesota
Team USA Minnesota is based in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. Formed in 2001, the purpose of the training center is to improve post-collegiate American distance running and to develop Olympians. The athletes are coached by Dennis Barker, head cross country and track coach at Augsburg College in Minneapolis. The non-profit training center is operated by a group of volunteers and supported by local organizations and individuals. Team USA Minnesota's major sponsor is Life Time Fitness and its silver sponsor is the Twin Cities Marathon. For more information, visit TeamUSAMinnesota.org.

Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Services Director
385 Oak View Lane
Santa Barbara, CA 93111

(805) 696-6232, fax (805) 967-5958
Ryan@RunningUSA.org
www.runningusa.org.