EUGENE, Ore. — University of New Mexico alumna Courtney Frerichs advanced to the finals of the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials on Monday, moving one step closer to qualifying to the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The reigning NCAA champion and NCAA record holder in the steeplechase, Frerichs ran a time of 9 minutes, 40.98 seconds to place second in her heat and eighth overall at Hayward Field. She easily secured the requisite top-three finish in her heat to advance to Thursday’s finals.
A top-three finish for Frerichs in the finals on Thursday advances her to the Olympics.
Frerichs, who is now running professionally for the Bowerman Track Club, opened the race in the top three, moving up to first place twice during the seven-lap race. Bridget Franek, who made the US team in the steeplechase in 2012, won the race in 9:39.93.
The overall winning from the preliminary round was American record holder Emma Coburn (9:35.28).
Frerichs’ personal record is 9:24.41, which she registered while winning the NCAA title at Hayward Field last month. Every NCAA champion from 2010 to present also advanced to the Trials final.
Frerichs will run the finals of the steeplechase at 8:48 p.m. MT on Thursday. The race will be televised on NBCSN.
Additionally, UNM senior Jannell Hadnot also competed at the Olympic Trials on Monday, finishing 24th in the triple jump. She leaped 41 feet, ½ inches (12.51 meters).