The University of Akron Athletics
Cross Country
- Title:
- Women's Distance and Cross Country Coach
- Email:
- bfranek@uakron.edu
- Phone:
- (330) 842-2546
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A 2010 graduate of Penn State, Franek is in her first season on head coach Dennis Mitchell's staff as the women's distance and cross country coach.
Franek was one of the top U.S. women in the steeplechase while still in college competing in the 2008 Olympic Trials and representing team USA at the 2009 IAAF World Championships.
By the time her career as a Nittany Lion was up, she had captured the NCAA title in the steeplechase in 2010 (9:38.86) and was a 10-time All-American.
Upon graduation, Franek moved to Eugene, Ore., to continue competing and joined Oregon Track Club, where she went on to become a two-time national runner-up in 2011 and 2012.
She qualified for a second IAAF World Championships team in 2011 and became a 2012 Olympic finalist in the 3,000-meter steeplechase for the United States.
Franek came to Akron after a decorated professional career in which she rose to as high as No. 17 in the world in the steeplechase.
