Last month, at the NCAA outdoor championships, Frerichs set a new collegiate record in the women’s 3,000-meter steeplechase, turning in a time of 9:24.41.
Television analysts said Frerichs had a good chance to make the Olympic team if she could shave another four seconds off her time—on Thursday, she did exactly that.
The track and field standout needed a top three finish to secure a spot at the 2016 Summer Olympics. But on the final lap, she found herself on the outside looking in.
Prior to the trials, James Butler, New Mexico’s assistant coach, said he felt positions two through six would be tightly contested and Frerichs had a real shot to be in that mix. Butler’s prediction seemed to be right on the money.
With about 1,000 meters to go, Emma Coburn had motored into the lead position and Frerichs was among a group of four athletes presumably vying for the final two slots.
Frerichs found her “second wind” to overtake Colleen Quigley and Stephanie Garcia coming down the stretch, and finished at 9:20.92 to set a new personal best.
Quigley rounded out the trio, clocking a time of 9:21.29.
Garcia had been in first or second place throughout the race, but fell after she clipped the final barrier and finished fifth.
Shalaya Kipp just edged out Garcia, coming in at 9:28.72 for a fourth place finish.
Coburn seemed to wait for the right moment for much of the race. She made her move and finished strong, winning comfortably with a time of 9:17.48.
Frerichs, a comparative late-comer to track and field, has shown impressive growth throughout her collegiate career. She continues to set and achieve goals, seemingly well ahead of schedule.
"I am just ecstatic right now," Frerichs said in a release. "This year couldn't have gone more perfect, and to top it with this. To be with these two girls [Coburn and Quigley], I'm just so happy."
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According to the release, Frerichs, the seventh New Mexico track and field athlete to earn a spot in the Olympics, became the first female to accomplish the feat.
She will head to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to represent her country and attempt to add to an already impressive list of accomplishments by bringing home a medal. The opening round of the event begins August 13.
Robert Maler is a sports reporter for the Daily Lobo. He primarily covers cross country, tennis, and track and field. He can be reached at sports@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @robert_maler.
