Courtney Frerichs finished in second place in the steeplechase at the NCAA Track and Field Championships Saturday in Eugene, Oregon.
A native of Nixa, Missouri, Frerichs capped a strong season with a personal best time of 9:331.36 at the national championship meet. Fellow Missouri-native Colleen Quigley of Florida State finished two seconds ahead to take the title.
Frerichs on Saturday completed her four-year transition from rookie to elite runner. An accomplished athlete, when she arrived on campus she had never competed in the steeplechase, a grueling distance race in which runners must hurdle barriers and a water pit.
After finishing second at the national championship meet, Frerichs was named an All-America for the fifth time in her career. This year alone, Frerichs was named to the All-America teams for cross country and for indoor track.
UMKC sophomore Bryce Miller finished 14th in the men's steeplechase on Friday, earning second team All-America honors.
