June 28, 2009
EUGENE, Ore. -
Junior Bridget Franek (Hiram, Ohio) will get a chance to showcase her talents on the world's stage this summer, thanks to a third-place effort in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, Sunday at the USATF Track and Field Championships, at Historic Hayward Field. Franek's finish is good for a spot on the United States squad headed for the 2009 IAAF World Championships, set for August 15-23, in Berlin, Germany.
"I felt really confident and I felt like I executed my race plan," said the Hiram, Ohio, native. "I felt stronger than I have all season, and it's a dream come true."
Franek ran a near perfect effort over the seven and half lap race, hanging with chase pack for much of the first portion of the race. With 1000-meters to go, Franek, eventual silver medalist Anna Willard and Lindsey Anderson - both of Nike - broke away from the pack, all in pursuit of US Champion Jenny Barringer of Colorado.
With just under 600-meter remaining, Franek surged over the top of the penultimate water jump pulling ahead of Willard and Anderson coming through the bell lap. With Anderson falling off the pace, Franek and Willard battled it out through the closing 300-meters, with Willard - the former American record holder - pulling away down the home stretch to capture second place and Franek holding on for third in a gutsy finish.
Barringer won the race in 9:29.38, while Willard followed in second in 9:35.01. Franek's 9:36.74 was not only good for medal-stand honors, it also bettered her own school record 9:43.57, as well as the IAAF "A" standard of 9:40.00, which guarantees her a spot in the world championship competition.
"Bridget has been task on every since the NCAAs and really the entire year," said Director of Track and Field and Head Coach Beth Alford-Sullivan. "She executed her race perfectly today and is a true student of our sport and ran with the true heart of a Lion. This is truly a great moment for her career, as well as great moment for our entire program and our entire staff, who all have played a role in this achievement."
Also in action at the USATF Championships were senior Gayle Hunter (Riverside, Calif.) and volunteer assistant Gigi Johnson in the heptathlon, however, both were forced to withdraw do to injury following this morning's long jump competition. Hunter finishes her Penn State career as a nine-time NCAA All-American, and will close out her days as a Nittany Lions will multiple school records to her credit.
Franek will be off to Berlin in early August with the steeplechase preliminaries scheduled for the opening day of competition August 15.