TEAM USA MONTEREY BAY DISTANCE RUNNING TRAINING CENTER NOW RECRUITING ATHLETES

SEASIDE, Calif. - (May 7, 2003) - The Team USA Monterey Bay Distance Running Training Center, located at California State University, Monterey Bay, is now recruiting talented post-collegiate long distance runners (3,000 meters to marathon). The Center will open on July 15, 2003. Bob Sevene -- the well-known distance coach who coached Joan Benoit Samuelson among many others -- has been contracted as Head Coach and will be reviewing athlete applications.

Team USA Monterey Bay plans to select four athletes over the next four to six weeks to be in residence at the Center on or around July 15. The Center hopes to select four additional athletes to be on board by the end of the year.

Interested athletes can visit the Center's web site for instructions, details regarding athlete support, and an athlete application form at: csumb.edu/teamusa

With the appointment of Bob Sevene and a commitment to the development of world class runners, Team USA Monterey Bay's directors have applied to be an official training center of the Team USA Distance Running Program. The national program, created by Running USA and USA Track & Field, is dedicated to developing and promoting U.S. distance runners. There are currently four Team USA Training Centers with over 35 athletes operating in California (San Diego/Mammoth Lakes), Michigan, Minnesota and New York. Since 2001, Team USA Distance Running athletes - led by Olympians Deena Drossin and Meb Keflezighi - have set one world road record, seven national records and numerous personal records and won World Championship medals and 28 national titles.

ABOUT TEAM USA MONTEREY BAY Team USA Monterey Bay, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public benefit organization committed to developing, supporting and promoting U.S. distance running stars capable of winning medals in Olympic and World Championship competition. We are also committed to creating role models for the general community who will promote physical fitness and a positive and productive lifestyle for people of all ages. We are a Pacific Association/USATF member club. Visit us on the web at csumb.edu/teamusa.

Team USA Monterey Bay's primary partner is California State University, Monterey Bay. Thanks to our major sponsors: Big Sur International Marathon, MY BMW/MY Cars, Pebble Beach Company, Granite Construction, Monterey Bay Half Marathon, Empire Runners, Reebok Aggies, Clear Channel and Dugan Smith & Hutkin, LLP. Additionally, Reebok International has committed apparel support to Team USA Monterey Bay, as needed.