April 24, 2012

BERKELEY - Competing at the Mt. SAC Relays in Walnut, Calif., last weekend, current senior Linda Oseso and several former Golden Bears posted some significant marks as they prepare for the a year that culminates with the Olympic Games in London.

Oseso, Cal's top women's hammer thrower, had a full weekend that included appearances in three meets in three different cities. She began by posting a distance of 182-3 at the Brian Clay Invitational held at Azusa Pacific on Thursday, April 19. Oseso then started her Friday with a PR 189-10 during a fourth-place finish at the Beach Invitational in Long Beach. Later that same day, she improved her lifetime best in the hammer to 193-8 at Mt. SAC, which extended her own Kenyan national record in the event.

Also appearing at the 54th Mt. SAC meet, were Cal alumni Inika McPherson, Amin Nikfar, Ed Wright and Martin Maric. In addition, volunteer assistant coach Amy Haapanen PR'd in the hammer at the Beach Invitational.

McPherson reached the Olympic A standard with her clearance of 6-4.75 in the women's high jump, which ties for the best mark in the world this year with two other Americans - Brigetta Barrett and Amy Acuff.

Nikfar, a 2008 Olympic representing Iran, won the open section of the men's shot put with an effort of 64-0.25, while Ed Wright cleared 7-4.50 in the men's elite high jump to move to fifth in the world in 2012.

Maric, who captured the 2009 NCAA title in the discus and was a 2008 Olympian for Croatia, took second in the invitational discus with a throw of 213-9, which is second in the world rankings behind only Mt. SAC winner Lawrence Okoye of Great Britain.

Finally, Haapanen met the Olympic B standard in the women's hammer with a mark of 229-0 while winning the event at the Beach Invitational.

Follow the Bears' road to the Olympic Games in London by visiting CalBears.com/Olympics. The site will continuously be updated with features and news on Cal Olympians - past, present and hopeful - throughout the spring and summer.