Team USA Minnesota has selected Andrew Carlson to join the USA Distance 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 outdoor 5,000 meters (13:44.64).

His career highlights at Minnesota include two-time runner-up in the Big Ten outdoor 5,000 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 5,000 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 5,000, and posted 14 minutes, four seconds in the 5 km 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.

The USA Distance Centers and The USA Distance project are devoted to sustaining the long-term development of elite USA distance athletes so that they can compete successfully in both domestic and international competitions, including major championship events. The USA Distance Project and Team USA Minnesota are supported at the Silver Partner level by The Twin Cities Marathon.