July 2, 2007

BERKELEY - California junior Alysia Johnson and sophomore Inika McPherson were named to the United States' team that will compete in the Pan American Games July 22-29 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Johnson, the current U.S. and NCAA champion in the women's 800-meter run, will compete in her specialty event, while McPherson, an indoor and outdoor All-American in 2007, will vie for the women's high jump crown.

Johnson won the indoor 800 (2:03.47) and outdoor 800 (1:59.29) in school-record times at the two NCAA Championships this past season. The Canyon Country, Calif., product more recently won the 800 title at the USA Outdoor Championships in 1:59.47.

McPherson, from Port Arthur, Texas, ranks second on Cal's high jump list with a mark of 6-0.50. She took seventh in the high jump at the NCAA Indoor Championships and took sixth in that event in the NCAA Outdoor Championships in 2007.

Also, former Golden Bears Bolota Asmerom and Kristin Heaston earned spots on the U.S. team. Asmerom is still the Cal record holder in the 5,000 and will compete in that event, while Heaston, who still holds the Bears' record in the women's shot put, will compete in the shot.

U.S. Track and Field Team for the Pan American Games

Cal Athletes
Alysia Johnson - Women's 800-meter run
Inika McPherson - Women's High Jump

Former Cal Athletes
Bolota Asmerom - Men's 5,000-Meter Run
Kristin Heaston - Women's Shot Put