Mark Matusak, who completed his senior year with the Golden Bears this past season, has been awarded a grant from the USA Track & Field Foundation, enabling him to compete internationally this summer.

The grants were given to nine high potential post-collegiate distance runners. They also fund the travel costs for an elite coach, Dennis Barker of Team USA Minnesota, who will accompany the athletes on a two-week trip in July.

The grant selectees are all young, "emerging elite" distance running talents who do not yet have the sponsorship support necessary for such a trip. Each chosen athlete has an association with one of the top training groups in the USA and these groups will assure coverage of any travel costs not covered by this grant.

The athletes will be based in the Netherlands and will compete in series of track meets. The goal is for each of them to participate in two or three professional international competitions during their stay.

Matusak recently finished eighth at the 2010 NCAA Championships and third at the 2010 Pac-10 meet in the 1500 meters. In May, he broke Cal's 31-year-old school record in the event, running 3:39.59. During the 2010 indoor season, Matusak set a Cal mark in the mile (3:38.36) and captured the MPSF title in the 3000 meters (7>59.67).

In addition to Matusak, the other athletes chosen for the grant are: Heather Dorniden, Meghan Armstrong, Gabriele Anderson - Team USA Minnesota; David Jankowski - ZAP Fitness; Jordan Horn and Lindsay Allen - Team USA Arizona (McMillan Elite); and Derek Scott and Jordan Fife - Team Indiana Elite.