Virginia Athletics announced Wednesday that Nicole Freitag was named assistant coach to the Virginia cross country and track and field teams by Vin Lananna, the recently-hired director of track and field and cross country and associate athletic director.
Freitag is a decorated and nationally-recognized runner from her time at the University of Oregon, where Lananna previously worked. She earned All-American honors nine times, while also being a four-time PAC-12 champion in cross country and track and field.
"Her experiences as a high school prodigy who developed into a stellar collegiate athlete will be valuable in relating to the very gifted University of Virginia student-athletes,” Lananna said. “She has done a remarkable job as a student-athlete, coach, teacher and mentor. I am excited to reunite with her as we build for the future."
Freitag brings previous coaching experience from her time at Columbia University, where she served as an assistant coach to the women’s cross country and track teams from 2012 to 2014. She recruited highly-esteemed athletes to the program and trained long-distance runners.
Most recently, Freitag explored the business side of sports, working at On in Portland, Ore. from 2017 to 2019. On is a brand of performance running shoes, clothing and gear that was founded in Switzerland is now available in over 50 countries. Freitag first served as an event producer for On before becoming the global sports marketing manager for track and field.
Before joining On, Freitag also had stints working for Nike and Eliptigo in roles related to brand and sales, respectively.
"I am thrilled for the opportunity to work with a group of smart and talented young women alongside my former college coach,” Freitag said. “We're a great team, and I look forward to getting started on this mission together."
She joins the teams just ahead of their upcoming meets at the Wisconsin Nuttycombe Invitational in Madison, Wis., Oct. 18 for the men’s cross country team and at the Under Armour Pre-National Invitational in Terre Haute, Ind. Oct. 19 for the women’s team.
Read More
Virginia baseball drops two of three in home series with Georgia Tech
By Ryan Weiner | 23 hours agoThe Cavaliers dropped a crucial series, and will need to rebound quickly heading into the final stretch of the regular season.
Virginia track and field delivers strong performances at Virginia Challenge
By Tanmayi Patil | YesterdayThe Cavaliers displayed impressive performances across the board over the weekend.
No. 4 men’s lacrosse falls in “heroic” game against No. 7 Syracuse after fourth-quarter charge
By Cole Huff | YesterdayWhile Virginia failed to win, the game provided an excellent feel for what the NCAA Tournament will be like, preparing the team for May.
