Alysia Montano falls short of medal at Worlds
Former Cal track star Alysia Montano narrowly missed the third-place spot in the 800-meter race at Worlds on Sunday.
She was just 0.04 seconds short of garnering bronze at the international championship tournament in Moscow.
Although Montano zoomed around the track in 56.06 over the first 400 meters, the five-time USA champion could not maintain her position in the top three down the home stretch.
Eventually, Brenda Martinez of the United States took third, and defending Olympic champion Mariya Savinoa of Russia and Kenya’s Eunice Sum claimed silver and gold, respectively. Montano finished with a time of 1:57.95 — 0.04 seconds shy of third place and only 0.57 seconds away from first.
The Cal alum, who captured the NCAA 800-meter title for the Bears in 2007, earlier claimed the opening round heat of the 800 meters on Thursday to advance to the semis on Friday.
She later took first in the semifinal heat after racing to the front in the first two laps of the race.
However, Montano’s attempt to become the first U.S. runner to ever medal in the 800 meters ultimately fell short in the Sunday final.
“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.”
Team USA set to play gold medal game at Pan American Games Qualifier
After recently garnering impressive victories against Canada and Cuba on Friday and Saturday, the USA women’s national softball team is headed to the championship final on Sunday.
The Eagles took down Canada on Friday, 8-2, and Cuba on Saturday, 5-0, with former Cal alums Lindsey Ziegenhirt and Valerie Arioto producing five of the team’s overall 13 runs in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Ziegenhirt hit a double and a solo home run for two runs and two RBIs, and Arioto posted a one-for-two performance against Canada with a run and two walks.
On Saturday, Ziegenhirt ended the game zero for two with a run and a walk, and Arioto was again able to post a one-for-two performance with one run, two RBIs and a walk.
In Sunday’s gold-medal game set for 12:30 p.m., Team USA will compete against the winner of the Cuba vs. Canada bronze-medal game.