Bears Win 4 Events on Opening Night

Alima Kamara Sets Cherry & Silver Invite Record in 600 Meters


Jan. 18, 2013




ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - California began the 2012 indoor track & field season in strong fashion Friday night, capturing four events on the opening night of the Cherry & Silver Invitational. Winners for the Bears were Alima Kamara (women's 600 meters), Chioma Amaechi (women's weight throw), Derek White (men's weight throw) and Randy Bermea (men's 400-meter hurdles).

Kamara prevailed in the seldom-run 600 meters in 1:32.21 to set a meet record for collegiate runners. She finished more than three seconds ahead of her closest pursuer, New Mexico's Shirley Pitts, who was timed in 1:35.32.

Also competing in a rare indoor event, the 400-meter hurdles, Bermea, a freshman, won his initial race for Cal in 52.48.

The Bears dominated the weight throw with winners on both the men's and women's side. White claimed the men's event by over two feet with a best mark of 62-6.00 coming on his sixth and final throw. For the women, Amaechi set a PR with an effort of 60-3.00, topping the 59-4.25 she set as a freshman in 2011. In addition, rookie Victoria Owers was second in 58-3.75 and freshman Shelby Ashe was fourth in 56-5.75.

In the men's high jump, Cal's Brian Carmichael and Stanford's Jules Sharpe both cleared 7-0.25, but Sharpe was awarded first place based on fewer misses. Still, Carmichael's mark was an indoor PR (he has an outdoor best of 7-2.25 from last year's Big Meet). Mike Tracy tied for third in an indoor PR 6-8.25.





Cal had four in the field for the men's long jump, but results were not available Friday night and will be posted Saturday morning.

Cherry & Silver Invitational
Albuquerque, N.M.

Complete Results

California Results

Men
200m - 10. Dash Oliver 22.24; 29. Andrew Cruikshank 23.70

600m - 12. Elliot Surovell 1:29.14

400m hurdles - 1. Randy Bermea 52.48

High Jump - 2. Brian Carmichael 7-0.25 (2.14m); T3. Mike Tracy 6-8.25 (2.04m); T6. Nick Ridge 6-6.25 (1.99m); 8. Harrison Steed 6-6.25 (1.99m); 17. Andrew Cruikshank 6-0.50 (1.84m)

Pole Vault - 11. Evan Barr 15-3.00 (4.65m)

Long Jump - results not available

Weight Throw - 1. Derek White 62-6.00 (19.05m); 4. Chijoke Nwuzi 59-0.75 (18.00m); 7. Scott Esparza 56-5.25 (17.20m)

Women
200m - 25. Charnell Price 25.45; 34. Carisma Lyday 25.79; 40. Jaci Powell 26.07; 46. Tamunosaki Higgwe 26.23

600m - 1. Alima Kamara 1:32.21

High Jump - 5. Gianna Fernandez 5-6.00 (1.68m); 9. Kristin Rimbach 5-6.00 (1.68m); 10. Grace Beaudoin 5-4.25 (1.63m)

Long Jump - 3. Malaina Payton 19-2.75 (5.86m); Jaci Powell NM

Weight Throw - 1. Chioma Amaechi 60-3.00 (18.36m); 2. Victoria Owers 58-3.75 (17.77m); 4. Shelby Ashe 56-5.75 (17.21m)

Courtesy Cal