SWEET BRIAR, Va. – Sweet Briar College has announced the hiring of Joanna Friesen as the new head coach for cross country/track and field. Friesen will begin her head coaching duties on March 6.
Friesen comes to Sweet Briar from fellow Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) institution Eastern Mennonite (EMU) where she served as the assistant cross country/track and field coach since the fall of 2017. Additionally, she served as the assistant triathlon coach since the program's inaugural season in the spring of 2019.
"I am excited to join the coaching staff at Sweet Briar and see the cross country program grow and expand as Sweet Briar adds Track & Field," Friesen remarked. "In speaking with student-athletes I was impressed with their commitment to the sport and growing the program, and in visiting campus I was excited by the close community and passionate team of coaches. I can't wait to get started!"
While at EMU, Friesen's duties included recruiting, administering workouts, assisting with home competitions, planning team travel, running the program's social media channels and building connections with local high school coaches. Friesen also holds USATF Level 1 and Level 2 certifications.
"We are pleased and excited to announce the hiring of Joanna Friesen," said Sweet Briar Director of Athletics, Jason Vittone. "Joanna brings an excellent skill set to this position and we are excited to add her to the Vixen family. I'm looking forward to watching her grow our cross country/track and field programs."
A 2017 graduate of Houghton College with a bachelor's of arts in religion, Friesen competed in both cross country and track. On the track, she participated in the 3K steeplechase and both the indoor and outdoor 4 x 800 relays.
She was named Empire 8 Rookie of the Year in 2014, an NCCAA All-American in the 3000m Steeplechase in both 2015 and 2016 and the 4 x 800 Relay in 2016 and was also an Academic All-American all four years.
After graduation, Friesen went on to complete her Master of Divinity at EMU in 2021 while also holding assistant coaching duties.
Visit the online home of Sweet Briar athletics, vixenathletics.com, to stay up-to-date on all Vixens sports and coverage from the Vixen Sports Network. Click here to sign up for email blasts from Vixen Athletics.
You can also give the Sweet Briar Vixens a like on Facebook and follow us on Instagram and Twitter.
