Feb. 10, 2012

SEATTLE, Wash. - In her debut race of the 2012 indoor season, junior Deborah Maier smashed her own school record in the indoor 5000 meters by nearly 30 seconds at the Flotrack Husky Classic Friday, running a time of 15:29.24 that stands as the fifth fastest collegiate mark of all-time.

Maier, who redshirted last season, set the previous Golden Bear record of 15:58.49 at the Husky Classic two years ago. Her time is also the best at Cal in the women's 5000 under any conditions, beating the school outdoor record of 15:46.8 by Kirsten O'Hara in 1985.

On Friday, Maier finished second to Sally Kipyego, a former Texas Tech runner now competing for OTC, who was timed in 15:15.41. The closest collegian to Maier was Oregon's Jordan Hasay, who was fourth in 15:45.54.

In addition to ranking as the fifth fastest collegian ever in the 5000, Maier is also the No. 2 American in the event, trailing only Colorado's Jenny Barringer, who went 15:01.70 in 2009. The others ahead of Maier are all foreign-born.

Maier is coming off a fall cross country season in which he placed 11th at the NCAA Championships to earn her second All-America certificate. The finish matched Cal's best ever at the national meet.

The Bears had several other runners compete Friday at the Husky Classic, led by Gia Trevisan's PR 25.22 in the women's 200 meters. The time was good for 10th overall. Carisma Lyday had a half-second improvement from her previous best and took 14th in 25.50, while 400m specialist Alima Kamara was 16th in 25.55.

In the men's 200, Jonathan Berry-Smith paced three Bears with a 27th-place showing in 22.91.

The major of the team will be in action Saturday.

In addition, Cal sent a handful of jumpers to the Don Kirby Invitational in Albuquerque, N.M., as well. Brian Carmichael (6-9.75) and Nick Ridge (6-8.00) placed seventh and ninth, respectively, in the men's high jump. For the women, Malaina Payton was fifth in the long jump (19-9.00) and Aziza Baker was sixth in the triple jump (40-2.75).

Flotrack Husky Classic
Seattle, Wash.

Complete Results

Men's Results
200m - 27. Jonathan Berry-Smith 22.91; 33. Michael Bullard 23.20; 37. Idarre Coles 23.93

Women's Results
200m - 10. Gia Trevisan 25.22; 14. Carisma Lyday 25.50; 16. Alima Kamara 25.55

5000m - 2. Deborah Maier 15:29.24 (Cal record)

Don Kirby Invitational
Albuquerque, N.M.

Complete Results

Men's Results
High Jump - 7. Brian Carmichael 6-9.75 (2.08m); 9. Nick Ridge 6-8.00 (2.03m)

Women's Results
Long Jump - 5. Malaina Payton 19-9.00 (6.02m)

Triple Jump - 6. Aziza Baker 40-2.75 (12.26m)