ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Former University of New Mexico track & field standout Courtney Frerichs has signed a professional contract with Nike and will be a member of the Bowerman Track Club based in Portland, Oregon.
Frerichs, a Nixa, Missouri, native by way of UMKC, set the collegiate record in the 3,000-meter steeplechase en route to winning the individual title earlier this month at the NCAA Championships. Her personal record of 9 minutes, 24.41 seconds ranks her sixth in U.S. history.
Bowerman Track Club coach Jerry Schumacher and Olympian Pascal Dobert will coach the seven-time All-American as she transitions from collegiate to professional runner.
“I am very excited about continuing my running career with Nike and the Bowerman Track Club,” Frerichs said. “I believe the opportunity to work with Jerry and Pascal will help me reach my goals as a runner. Working with the amazing women of the BTC will be a wonderful opportunity to learn more. I can’t wait for the Olympic Trials and to start this new chapter in my career.”
While at New Mexico, Frerichs ran to two national titles in one year, winning a team title and an individual title as a Lobo.
She helped the New Mexico women’s cross country to its first national title in November, taking fourth place overall as the highest finisher in program history.
After sitting out the indoor season, Frerichs continued to shine outdoors, twice running under 9:30 in the steeplechase before capping her collegiate career by setting the NCAA record at the NCAA Championships.
Her title in the event was the first by a women’s track & field athlete in program history and powered the women to their best-ever finish at the NCAA Outdoor Championships.
She now owns four of the top 10 times in NCAA history between her time at New Mexico and UMKC.
With the BTC, Frerichs will train with Colleen Quigley, last year’s NCAA steeple champion and the 12th finisher at last year’s World Championships. Former Lobo Sammy Silva (2013-15) is also a member of BTC.
Founded in 2003 as the Bowerman Athletic Club, the Bowerman TC added Schumacher’s training group of professional athletes and rebranded as the Bowerman Track Club in 2014.
Altogether, the Bowerman TC comprises all levels of competitive athletes, from youth to elite to masters, and is joined as one team.
Frerichs will make her professional debut on July 4 in the qualifying rounds of the steeplechase at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Eugene, Oregon. The final are on July 7.