Crestwood’s track will be renamed this spring in honor of former Red Devil standout Bridget Franek, who graduated in 2006.
The track inside of Jack Lambert Stadium will officially become known as the Bridget Franek Track on April 10 during the Don Faix Invitational.
Crestwood’s Board of Education recently approved the name change to honor one of the most decorated Red Devils in school history.
As a senior, Franek led Crestwood to the Division II state championship while running a leg in the 4×800-meter relay, which finished first, and also winning individual crowns in the 800-meter, 1600-meter, and 3200-meter runs. She set a state record in the 800 and a Division II state meet record in the 3200.
Her state title in the 1600-meter run was her second straight, as she also won the title as a junior with a state-record time of 4:45. She also finished as the state runner-up in the 800 as a junior and the Division I state runner-up in the 1600 as a freshman and sophomore.
Franek also won the state cross country championship in 2005 and finished second in 2004.
After graduating from Crestwood, Franek continued her stellar career at Penn State University.
It didn’t take her long to introduce herself to Division I collegiate athletics as she was named the 2007 Big Ten Freshman of the year.
In addition to winning the 2010 3000-meter Steeplechase at the NCAA Track & Field Meet, Franek is a three-time Penn State record holder, six-time NCAA championships participant, and a 10-time NCAA All-American.
Franek’s career continued on the world stage as a two-time representative of the United States in the World Championships and a 14th place finish in the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. Franek twice finished as the runner-up in the U.S. Outdoor Steeplechase.
