McPherson Takes Second in Women's High Jump

Stewart Qualifies for Hurdles Semis; 3 Others Place in Top 10

David Torrence

June 22, 2013




DES MOINES, Iowa - On a busy Saturday at the USA Track & Field Championships for the Golden Bears, Cal had four athletes finish among the top 10 in their respective events, including women's high jump runner-up Inika McPherson, and Ray Stewart qualified for the men's 110-meter hurdles semifinals.

McPherson, the 2009 Pac-10 high jump champion for the Bears, cleared 6-3.50 to finish second behind Brigetta Barrett, who won the competition at 6-8.25. McPherson went over the bar on her first attempt on her first two heights, took two tries to clear 6-2.25, and was the only jumper other than Barrett to go over at 6-3.50. She then missed all three attempts at 6-4.75, which would have matched her career best.

In the men's 1500-meter final, David Torrence was seventh in 3:46.26. The tight race saw the top 10 finishers all cross the line within two seconds of each other. Matthew Centrowitz won the race in 3:45.17.

Malaina Payton, who will be a senior for the Bears next year, took ninth in the women's long jump with a best effort of 20-6.50w, when she was aided by a wind of 3.3 meters per second. Payton finished 10th at the NCAA Championships earlier this month.

The men's 110-meter hurdles prelims saw Ray Stewart qualify for Sunday's semifinals with a wind-aided 13.46 time, which was 12th overall. A two-time conference champion, Stewart owns a PR of 13.43 from his 2013 Pac-12 victory in May.

Closing out the results for Saturday, Cal volunteer assistant coach Amy Haapanen placed 10th in the women's hammer with a throw of 211-7.





The championships conclude on Sunday and will feature former Cal star Alysia Montano aiming for her fourth consecutive title in the women's 800 meters. In addition, Stewart will race in the men's 110-meter hurdles, Ed Wright is entered in the men's high jump, and Chelsea Reilly is in the women's 5000 meters. The meet will be televised on Universal Sports from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., on NBC Sports Network from 12-1 p.m. and on NBC from 1-3 p.m.


USA Senior Track & Field Championships

Men's 1500 meters - 7. David Torrence 3:46.26

Men's 110-meter hurdles (prelims) - 12. Ray Stewart 13.46wQ

Women's High Jump - 2. Inika McPherson 6-3.50 (1.92m)

Women's Long Jump - 9.>Malaina Payton 20-6.50w (6.26m)

Women's Hammer - 10. Amy Haapanen 211-7 (64.51m)

Q - qualified for semifinal

Courtesy Cal