Frerichs Heads To Barcelona For IAAF World Junior Championships

(Kansas City, Mo.) -- After just one year as a Kangaroo, UMKC's Courtney Frerichs has already set a UMKC school record, qualified for the 2012 NCAA West Regional, been named a Distinguished Scholar on The Summit League Fall and Winter/Spring Academic All-League Teams and been named The Summit League Female Track & Field Athlete of the Week on Mar. 27.  Now the sophomore-to-be will try to add a gold medal to her collection when she heads to Barcelona, Spain, for the IAAF World Junior Championships as part of Team USA.

Frerichs, a Nixa, Mo., native, earned her spot on the team after finishing second in the 3,000 Meter Steeplechase at the US Junior Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Bloomington, Ind., at the Robert C. Haugh Track & Field Complex with a personal best time of 10:35.23 on June 15, beating out runners from schools including Illinois, Penn State, Arkansas, UCLA and Yale.

"I still remember smiling during the last 100 meters, knowing I had earned my spot for the world championships," Frerichs said after her qualifying run.  "I knew I had a good chance at qualifying if I had a good race, but I never imagined getting this opportunity."

"We are excited about Courtney's opportunity to compete for the USA Junior team," UMKC head coach Shameika McField said.  "Her hard work is obvious, doing so well at an event that is so new for her is talent, while her dedication and tenacity just spells heart.  Courtney is an all-around phenomenal student-athlete.  It was exciting to watch her compete for the Roos her first year, now it will be just as exciting to watch her create history while competing for Team USA.  This is more than an honor for her and our programs."

Frerichs earned her spot in the US Championship thanks to a UMKC record mark of 10:34.48 at the Mt. SAC Relays on Apr. 19, just her second time in the event as a 'Roo.  Due to a foot injury though, the UMKC freshman was only able to compete once more in the steeplechase, putting her training behind that of her competitors.

"I was a little worried when I started training again after my foot injury that I wouldn't get back into the shape I had been in when I ran my seed time, but I had some really good workouts the week before the race," Frerichs said.  "That definitely helped give me some confidence that I was ready to run a good race."

Prior to the race, Frerichs and UMKC assistant coach James Butler put together a plan that would help send her to Barcelona.

"Coach Butler discussed with me before the race that I should try to break the race into three parts," Frerichs said.  "The plan was for me to run the first kilometer fairly relaxed, keep second place within reach on the second kilometer and then try to get into second in order to qualify on the last kilometer.  The race went exactly how Coach Butler thought it would and the plan worked really well."

"We had a specific race plan going into the race and Courtney executed it perfectly," Butler said.  "To be able to compete against the top junior athletes in the nation and to finish second is a great accomplishment for Courtney and for UMKC.  Representing your country in an international competition is the dream of any track & field athlete and it is very exciting to see Courtney achieve what she has in such a short period of time"

Frerichs will now head to Montjuïc Olympic Stadium, site of the 1992 Summer Olympics, for the first round of the 3,000 Meter Steeplechase on July 10 as part of Team USA with a spot in the July 12 final on the line.

"I was still in shock about everything after the race, but as I tried on the uniforms, it slowly started sinking in that I was getting the opportunity to be a part of Team USA," Frerichs said.  "Now, for the world championships my plan is to go out there and have fun, but be competitive.  This is such an amazing opportunity and I want to make the most of it."

To follow Frerichs journey to the World Championships visit UMKCKangaroos.com during the upcoming week for her blog detailing her trip.