June 18, 2012

BERKELEY - Four Golden Bears have earned first- or second-team All-America distinction from the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) following their performances at the recent NCAA Championships. Deborah Maier, who was third in the 10,000 meters, and high jumper Harrison Steed made the first team, while high jumper Brian Carmichael and 5000-meter runner Chelsea Reilly were on the second squad.

Maier picked up first-team All-America honors for the fourth time this year. She was 11th at the NCAA cross country meet in the fall, then was the national runner-up in both the 3000 and 5000 meters at the NCAA indoor meet. At the outdoor championships, she was third in the 10K in 32:47.20. Back in April, the junior set a Pac-12 record with a time of 32:12.47 at the Payton Jordan Invitational to become the third-fastest collegian ever in the event.

Steed, a redshirt-freshman, had his best meet as a Golden Bear when he cleared 7-2.50 to finish eighth in the high jump at NCAAs. The mark puts him in ninth place on Cal's all-time performer list and matches his lifetime best set as a high schooler in 2010.

Carmichael was 15th at the NCAA Championships, topping out at 7-0.50 in the high jump in his first career appearance at the national meet. Reilly, meanwhile, finished just out of the scoring with her ninth-place showing in the 5000 meters (16:30.31).

First-team USTFCCCA All-America honors were awarded to those who earn any portion of a team point at the national championships or reach an eight-entrant final. Second-team All-America honors were handed out to those whose final placing in the national meet range from ninth to 16th place.

In addition, three Bears were tabbed honorable mention All-Americans - Scott Esparza (hammer), Taylor Kientzel (long jump) and Chad Jones (triple jump) - for earning berths to the NCAA Championships.

For a complete list of All-Americans, visit the USTFCCCA website.