Crestwood grad headed to London

Plain Dealer

EUGENE, Ore.

For years, Bridget Franek was a familiar sight to those living in Portage County on quiet stretches of Udall, Allyn and Norton roads. She ran alone, or sometimes with a friend, teammate or her parents. She ran past farmhouses and over the Cuyahoga River, where it’s no bigger than a creek.

She darted in and out of wooded trails cut by her father near Hiram College. She ran for fun, and she ran with a purpose.

Who knew then she was running to the Olympics? Who knew then those hills, trails and creeks were perfect training for what was to come?

We know that now. We know because Bridget Franek is an Olympian in one of the most challenging events that will be contested at the London Games this summer.

Franek, 24, will represent the United States in the 3,000-meter steeplechase after placing second at the Olympic Track and Field Trials on Friday in her new home stadium, Hayward Field. Moving into second behind eventual winner Emma Coburn midway through the seven-and-a-half lap race, Franek never faltered. Hurdling 28 times above 30-inch medal barriers, and seven times over and occasionally into a water hazard, she resisted her career-long temptation to over-think her race.

“I have a really thick skull and sometimes it takes a lot to crack it,” she said.

As Franek as always done when she’s at her best, she just ran. The crowd of more than 21,000 in Hayward Field sprang to its feet as defending national champ Coburn, Franek and Coburn’s Colorado University teammate, Shalaya Kipp, clearned the final water jump and raced down the stretch.

“I was just hoping and praying everyone was as tired as I was,” Franek said.

Coburn won in 9:32.78 in humid conditions. Franek, who constantly gained ground on the jumps, crossed in 9:35.62, three seconds off per personal best. Kipp qualified for London in 9:35.73, nearly a second ahead of Delilia DiCrescenzo.

Beyond the finish, Franek struggled to regain her composure. She sank to her knees and touched her forehead on the synthetic track. As the Olympic trio posed for photographers, arm-in-arm and holding small American flags, Franek could barely keep her head up, but managed a smile.