Feb. 7, 2012

BERKELEY - Nine Golden Bears are rated among the top 10 in their respective events in Track & Field News' final 2011 rankings, including 800m runner Alysia Johnson Montano, who is No. 1 in the United States and No. 4 in the world in her specialty.

Montano won her third USA title in the 800m last summer and went on place fourth at the World Championships in a season-best 1:57.48. The finish was the best ever by a U.S. woman in the 800m at the international meet.

In addition to Montano, two former Cal runners are listed in more than one event, with David Torrence fifth in the men's 1500m and eighth in the men's 800m. Magdalena Lewy Boulet is sixth in the women's 10,000m, eighth in the women's marathon and 10th in the women's 5000m.

Three members of Cal's 2011 team also found themselves on the lists. Mike Morrison, who captured the NCAA title with a school-record 8,118 points, is third in the decathlon, while Kristen Meister, a 2011 All-American and school-record holder (6-1.25), is eighth in the women's high jump, and fellow All-American Tracey Stewart ninth in the women's triple jump.

The other three Bears receiving recognition are Ryan Young, who is fourth in the men's javelin; Inika McPherson, a 2011 World Championships qualifier who is second in the women's high jump; and Kristin Heaston, who is seventh in the women's shot put.

Track & Field Rankings Notes: Montano is No. 1 in the United States in the 800m for the third time (also 2007 and 2010) ... Young is the first Bears on the javelin list since Bruce Kennedy was fifth in 1982, while Lewy Boulet is Cal's first representative in the 10,000m since Kirsten O'Hara was third in 1985 ... Heaston made the shot put list for the ninth times since 2001.