Frerichs Receiving Recognition on Bowerman Award Watch List
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — University of New Mexico senior track athlete Courtney Frerichs is receiving consideration for the Preseason Women’s Bowerman Award Watch List, which was released Wednesday by the Bowerman Watch List Committee.
Frerichs, a senior from Nixa, Mo., placed second in the 3,000-meter steeplechase last June at the 2015 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Eugene, Ore., and finished the calendar year ranked 27th in the world in the steeplechase.
“It’s an amazing honor for her,” New Mexico head coach Joe Franklin said. “She’s the epitome of what a student-athlete is supposed to be. She’s elite-level in her academics and she is one of the world’s best in the steeplechase. It’s an honor for us to have in her at the University of New Mexico.”
After a stellar four years at the University of Kansas City-Missouri, Frerichs transferred to New Mexico last summer for a fifth year and thrived in her first semester in Albuquerque, helping the Lobos to the NCAA cross country title in November.
While at UMKC, Frerichs earned All-American status on the track three times, including twice in the steeplechase. She ran her personal record of 9 minutes, 31.36 seconds in the steeplechase in her runner-up performance at the NCAAs last spring.
She ranks fourth in NCAA history in the steeplechase, and her personal record ranked sixth among all American athletes in 2015.
Frerichs has eligibility remaining for the outdoor season, with an eye on capturing an individual NCAA title in the steeplechase. Competing unattached, she ran 15:31.62 in the 5,000-meter run in December.
The Bowerman, which debuted in 2009, is presented annually by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association to the most outstanding male and female collegiate track & field athletes in the nation. Performances during the indoor track & field and outdoor track & field seasons count for the award; performances achieved in cross country are not considered.
10 women were selected as Watch List members, including Quanesha Burks (Alabama), Kyra Jefferson (Florida), Akela Jones (Kansas State), Shamier Little (Texas A&M), Cindy Ofili (Michigan), Keturah Orji (Georgia), Demi Payne (Stephen F. Austin), Raevyn Rogers (Oregon), Raven Saunders (Ole Miss) and Shelbi Vaughan (Texas A&M).
Receiving additional consideration are Frerichs, Morolake Akinosun (Texas), Kendall Baisden (Texas), Erica Bougard (Mississippi State), Courtney Okolo (Texas), DeAnna Price (Southern Illinois), Irena Sediva (Virginia Tech), Molly Seidel (Notre Dame) and Kendell Williams (Georgia).