Frerichs Named National, MW Athlete of the Week

Published by New Mexico SID on May 3, 2016

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — After setting the world lead in the 3,000-meter steeplechase Sunday, University of New Mexico track & field senior Courtney Frerichs earned a pair of superlative accolades on Tuesday.

The senior from Nixa, Missouri was named NCAA Division I Women's National Athlete of the Week by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association on Tuesday morning and added Mountain West Women's Track Athlete of the Week honors Tuesday afternoon.

Frerichs, a transfer from UMKC, ran a personal-record time of 9 minutes, 29.31 seconds to win the top section of the 3,000 steeplechase at the Payton Jordan Invitational on Sunday, May 1.

"Last year, I had a big goal of breaking 9:30 and came just short," Frerichs said after her race Sunday. "So today it's a really great feeling that I was able to open my steeple with a PR and get that big goal I've had for the last year."