Nov. 17, 2006

BERKELEY, Calif. - California junior David Torrence has been selected to the All-West Region team, the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association announced this week. Additionally, Cal junior Chris Chavez and sophomore Mark Matusak garnered first- and second-team Pac-10 All-Academic honors, respectively, Pac-10 Commissioner Tom Hansen announced today.

To be considered for the all-region squad, athletes must finish in the top 25 of their region and meet NCAA Dvision I Cross Country Coaches Association requirements.

Torrence finished 13th at the NCAA West Regional Nov. 11 at Blue Lake Park in Fairview, Ore., in a time of 30:34.99 on the 10K course. That performance earned him his first trip to the NCAA Cross Country Championships Monday, Nov. 20, in Terre Haute, Ind.

Indiana State hosts this year's national championship at LaVern Gibson Championship Course located at the Wabash Valley Family Sports Center. The men's 10K race begins at 1:15 p.m. ET.

Torrence, who hails from Tarzana, Calif., has led the Bears in all four competitions he has entered this season. He owns three top 15 showings and hasn't finished lower than 23rd all season.

Chavez is an economics major, while Matusak is undeclared. Eleven Cal student-athletes were recognized as honorable mention Pac-10 All-Academic selections. That group includes Yosef Ghebray, Alex McClary, Andy McClary, Matt Miller, Jake Schmitt, Bridget Duffy, Pippa Macdonald, Elizabeth Mayeda, Mackenzie Pierce, Lisa Sandoval and Rebecca Yau.