Nixa’s Courtney Frerichs didn't expect to make the Olympic games in Rio. Not only did she make it, but she also qualified for the 3000 meter steeplechase final, where she finished 11th out of 18 Monday morning with a time of 9:22.87.
COURTNEY FRERICHS' OLYMPIC BLOG
Ruth Jebet of Bahrain won gold with the second fastest time in Olympic history, 8:59.75. Emma Coburn became the first American to medal in an Olympic steeplechase race, earning bronze with a time of 9:07.63. Coburn finished 8th in the 2012 games in London. The third American, Colleen Quigley finished 8th. Quigley is a St. Louis, Mo. native and the niece of Republic High School baseball coach Howard Quigley.
Frerichs qualified for the games by finishing second at the U.S. Olympic Trials in Eugene, Ore. last month.
Before that she set a new NCAA record by winning the collegiate national championship for New Mexico University.
Frerichs, who got engaged shortly after her NCAA race, expects to compete again for Team USA at the 2020 games in Tokyo.
