Bridget Franek
Event: 3,000m Steeplechase
Height: 5-6
Weight: 123
PR: 9:32.35 (2010)
Born: 11/08/1987
Current Residence: Eugene, Ore.
High School: Crestwood HS (Mantua, Ohio) ’06
College: Penn State ’10
Coach: Mark Rowland
Agent: John Nubani
Sponsor: Nike
Club: Oregon TC Elite
Career Highlights: 2010 NCAA champion; 2011 USA Champs Runner-up; 3rd at 2009 USA Outdoor Champs
USA Championships
2011 USA Outdoor runner-up (9:44.90)
2009 USA Outdoor bronze medalist (9:36.74)
2006 USA Junior 3,000m runner-up (9:51.04)
International Championships
2008 NACAC U23 runner-up (11:12.65)
Collegiate Championships
2010 NCAA Outdoor steeplechase champion (9:38.86)
2008 NCAA Outdoor steeplechase bronze medalist (9:58.74)
Awards and Honors
2007 Big Ten Freshman of the Year
About Bridget
Franek was an all-around athlete in high school in softball, basketball, volleyball, soccer and track before she tried cross country during her junior year. She found immediate success at Penn State where she set three school records and was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year. Franek went on to become one of the top U.S. women in the steeplechase while still in college competing in the 2008 Olympic Trials and representing team USA at the 2009 IAAF World Championships. Once her NCAA career was over, Franek moved to Eugene, Ore. and joined the Oregon Track Club. Off the track, Franek graduated with a degree in kinesiology, enjoys crafting and making jewelry, has worked making Picky Bars for Lauren Fleshman’s company, and was her high school’s prom queen.
Results
2011: 7th in 1st heat of World Championships (9:43.09); 10th at London (9:40.24);2nd at USA Outdoor (9:44.90); 6th at adidas Grand Prix (9:38.92)
2010: 14th at London (9:55.38); 9th at Stockholm (9:42.17); 5th at Pre Classic (9:32.35); 5th at USA Outdoor (10:07.49); 1st at NCAA Outdoor 3,000m SC (9:38.86); 3rd at Big Ten Outdoor 5,000m (16:18.68); 1st at Big Ten Outdoor 3,000m SC (9:48.28); 7th at NCAA Indoor 3,000m (9:12.62); 4th at NCAA Indoor 5,000m (15:58.02); 2nd at Big Ten Indoor 3,000m (9:10.68) and 5,000m (16:09.48);1st at Big Ten Indoor mile (4:37.95)
2009: 12th in heats of World Championships (9:50.02); 4th at NCAA Outdoor 3,000m SC; (9:48.57) 3rd at USA Outdoor (9:36.74); 2nd at Big Ten Outdoor 3,000m SC (9:58.27); 4th at NCAA Indoor 5,000m (15:59.55); 3rd at Big Ten Indoor 5,000m (15:58.76);1st at Big Ten Indoor 3,000m (9:21.93)
2008: 2nd at NACAC U23 (11:12.65); 8th in heats of Olympic Trials (10:11.56); 3rd at NCAA Outdoor (9:58.74); 1st at Big Ten Outdoor 3,000m SC (9:58.56)
2007: 12th at USA Outdoor (10:10.36); 3rd at Big Ten Outdoor 3,000m SC (10:05.96); 3rd at Big Ten Indoor 5,000m (16:45.09);
2006: 2nd at USA Juniors 3,000m (9:51.04); 5th at the Mid-Atlantic Regional, earning an automatic bid to the NCAA Championships in cross country (20:44); State champion in the 4x800, 800m, 1600m and 3200m
USA /World Rankings and Personal Bests
2011: Outdoor bests – 3,000m SC, 9:38.92 (No. 2 in the USA/ No. 28 in the world)
2010: Outdoor bests – 3,000m SC, 9:32.35 (No. 2 in the USA/ No. 17 in the world)
2009: Outdoor bests – 3,000m SC, 9:36.74 (No. 5 in the USA/ No. 38 in the world)
2008: Outdoor bests, - 3,000m SC, 9:58.56 (No. 14 in the USA)
2007: Outdoor bests, - 3,000m SC, 9:59.21 (No. 14 in the USA)