Bridget Franek (born November 8, 1987 in Cleveland) is an American middle distance runner who was in the U.S. Olympic team for the

2012 Summer Olympics The 2012 Summer Olympics (officially the Games of the XXX Olympiad and also known as London 2012) was an international multi-sport event held from 27 July to 12 August 2012 in London, England, United Kingdom. The first event, the ...

in the 3000 meter

steeplechase Steeplechase may refer to: * Steeplechase (horse racing), a type of horse race in which participants are required to jump over obstacles * Steeplechase (athletics), an event in athletics that derives its name from the steeplechase in horse racing ...

High school career

Franek is the child of parents Tom and Rosalie, who were runners in high school and college. Franek grew up in Hiram Township and graduated from Crestwood High School in Mantua, Ohio in 2006.USA Track & Field Profile
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College career

Franek graduated in 2010 from

Penn State University The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State or PSU) is a public state-related land-grant research university with campuses and facilities throughout Pennsylvania. Founded in 1855 as the Farmers' High School of Pennsylvania, Penn State became ...

and graduated in 2014 from University of Oregon Sports Marketing MBA. She was the Big Ten Freshman of the Year in 2007. She was the bronze medalist in the NCAA outdoor steeplechase championship in 2008 with a time of 9:58.74. She was the NCAA outdoor steeplechase champion in 2010 with a time of 9:38.86.

Post-college career

Franek was the runner-up for the U.S. outdoor steeplechase title in 2011 and 2012. She qualified for the 2012 Summer Olympics by placing second at the U.S. Olympic trials in the 3000 meter steeplechase with a time of 9:35.62. In her Olympic heat, she placed fifth with a time of 9:29.86. She advanced to the final based on time qualification. In the Olympic final she finished 14th. Franek was the first place woman at the 2015 Warrior Dash World Championship obstacle race in October 2015 and she received a $30,000 prize.

USA National Championships

Track and field

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Franek, Bridget Living people 1987 births Track and field athletes from Ohio Penn State Nittany Lions women's track and field athletes People from Portage County, Ohio American female steeplechase runners Olympic track and field athletes for the United States Athletes (track and field) at the 2012 Summer Olympics World Athletics Championships athletes for the United States