Montano Misses Medal by a Fraction

Courtesy: Cal Athletics
Release: Sunday 08/18/2013

MOSCOW – Former Cal star Alysia Montano just missed a medal in the 800 meters at the World Championships Sunday, finishing her race a mere .04 seconds out of the third spot.

Montano, who prefers to run from the front, took the field around the track in 56.06 over the first 400 meters. Winner of her two heats leading up to the final, she couldn’t quite hold onto her position down the homestretch.

Kenya’s Eunice Sum claimed gold in a person-best 1:57.38, while defending Olympic champion Mariya Savinoa of Russia was second in 1:57.80 and Brenda Martinez from the United States was third in a lifetime-best 1:57.91. Montano was next in 1:57.95.

"I just wanted to do what I do in practices,” Montano said after the race. “I have had phenomenal practices. That last 50 meters, I wanted to show everyone what we’ve been doing in practice but I just didn’t have it. I’m disappointed."

Montano, a five-time USA champion who captured the NCAA 800 title for the Bears in 2007, was also fourth in the 800 meters in 2011 World Championships. Last summer, she took fifth in the event at the Olympic Games in London.