Feb. 23, 2005

Winston-Salem, NC - Director of track and field and head cross country coach Annie Bennett has been selected as the head women's coach for Team USA at the World Cross Country Championship. Assistant coach Matt Kerr has been selected to the Canadian Cross Country team and will compete at the World Championship next month.

Kerr, who qualified for the World Championship by participating in the Canadian Cross Country Championship in December, competed at several indoor track meets this winter. Posting marks of 4:06.86 in the mile run and 7:56.34 in the 3k, Kerr was selected based on his proven fitness level. He will participate in the senior men's short course, a four kilometer event.

Kerr travels to France on March 12th for a brief training camp before racing on March 19th and returning March 21st.

In 2003, Kerr was a national champion while a member of Team Canada. He also qualified for the World Track and Field Championships in that same year. He competed twice at the World Championship as a junior (1994, 1995) and this is his third time as a senior (previously in 2000, 2001).

"I am very excited to have the opportunity to compete at this year's World Cross Country Championship," said Kerr. "It is always a thrill to be able to test yourself against the best in the world. I am fortunate to have a great training environment here at Wake Forest, and I feel better prepared for this competition than in year's past."

Bennett will be the head coach for both the women's short course team (4km) and women's long course team (8km). Upon the conclusion of the Deacons participation in the NCAA Indoor Championship on March 12, Bennett will depart for Saint-Galmier/Saint-Étienne, France to coach the U.S. team.