Completed Event: Cross Country versus NCAA Championships on November 22, 2025 , , 17th / 32
Final Score
Cross Country
17th / 32
vs NCAA Championships
The University of Utah Athletics
Kepler Names Abbie Fredrick Cross Country and Track & Field Coach
7/13/2026 9:58 AM | Cross Country, Track & Field
Abbie Fredrick named joins Utah cross country and track & field coaching staff
SALT LAKE CITY – Utah cross country and track & field head coach Kyle Kepler announced the addition of Abbie Fredrick to the coaching staff.
"I am very excited to announce the addition of Abbie Fredrick to my staff as an assistant coach for both cross country and track & field," Kepler said. "Her energy, passion and experience made her an excellent fit for our program."
Fredrick joins the Women of Utah with familiarity, having coached in the Big 12 Conference the last four seasons at Oklahoma State (2024-26) and Baylor (2022-24).
"I can't wait to hit the ground running in Salt Lake City!" noted Fredrick. "I've always admired Utah from afar and have the utmost respect for how Kep has built the program over the years. I am eager to do everything I can to help build upon the great success and determined to do what I can to push the program to even newer heights. I would be remiss not to thank our team at Oklahoma State for welcoming me with open arms. The past two years have been instrumental in my growth, and I am deeply thankful to Dave Smith and the entire staff for their mentorship and support."
In her two seasons with OSU, the Cowgirls captured back-to-back NCAA Midwest Regional crowns in cross country and a 12th-place finish at the 2025 NCAA Cross Country Championships.
Fredrick was critical to the success of Isca Chelangat as the freshmen placed second in the 5000m at the Big 12 Outdoor Championships before earning Second-Team All-America distinctions at the NCAA Outdoor Championships in 2025. Her sophomore campaign saw her capture the NCAA Midwest Regional crown in cross country and garner All-America honors after placing seventh-overall at the 2025 NCAA Cross Country Championships.
The indoor season saw Fredrick help guide Billah Jepkirui to new heights, collecting First-Team All-America accolades in the mile and 3000m races – which led to her being named the 2026 USTFCCCA Midwest Region Indoor Women's Track Athlete of the Year and a spot on the Bowerman Watch List. Jepkirui was also named the Big 12 Indoor Performer of the Year after capturing Big 12 Championship titles in the 1000m and mile.
OSU's DMR squad also ran the second-fastest time in collegiate history that season before finishing eighth at the indoor championships while Billah (mile), Chelangat (5000m) and Kaylie Politza (1000m) set new school records in their respective events.
The Cowgirls rounded out the year with Chelangat and Politza qualifying for the NCAA Outdoor Championships in the 5000m and 800m race, respectively. Billah closed out her year with the fastest 1500m time (4:04.59) on the season – which was also the fifth-fastest in NCAA history and earned her USTFCCCA National Athlete of the Week honors.
During her stint with Baylor, Fredrick coached three NCAA South Central All-Region performers and a Second-Team All-American in Annamaria Kostarellis in the 10000m race at the 2023 NCAA Outdoor Championships.
Prior to her move to Division I, Frederick coached at Dawson Community College (2020-21) and at her alma mater Black Hills State (2021-22) – where she was an All-American (mile).
For the latest news and information on the Utah cross country and track & field programs, fans can stay connected online at www.UtahUtes.com, on social media by following on Facebook, X and Instagram or stay connected with Utah360 app.
"I am very excited to announce the addition of Abbie Fredrick to my staff as an assistant coach for both cross country and track & field," Kepler said. "Her energy, passion and experience made her an excellent fit for our program."
Fredrick joins the Women of Utah with familiarity, having coached in the Big 12 Conference the last four seasons at Oklahoma State (2024-26) and Baylor (2022-24).
"I can't wait to hit the ground running in Salt Lake City!" noted Fredrick. "I've always admired Utah from afar and have the utmost respect for how Kep has built the program over the years. I am eager to do everything I can to help build upon the great success and determined to do what I can to push the program to even newer heights. I would be remiss not to thank our team at Oklahoma State for welcoming me with open arms. The past two years have been instrumental in my growth, and I am deeply thankful to Dave Smith and the entire staff for their mentorship and support."
In her two seasons with OSU, the Cowgirls captured back-to-back NCAA Midwest Regional crowns in cross country and a 12th-place finish at the 2025 NCAA Cross Country Championships.
Fredrick was critical to the success of Isca Chelangat as the freshmen placed second in the 5000m at the Big 12 Outdoor Championships before earning Second-Team All-America distinctions at the NCAA Outdoor Championships in 2025. Her sophomore campaign saw her capture the NCAA Midwest Regional crown in cross country and garner All-America honors after placing seventh-overall at the 2025 NCAA Cross Country Championships.
The indoor season saw Fredrick help guide Billah Jepkirui to new heights, collecting First-Team All-America accolades in the mile and 3000m races – which led to her being named the 2026 USTFCCCA Midwest Region Indoor Women's Track Athlete of the Year and a spot on the Bowerman Watch List. Jepkirui was also named the Big 12 Indoor Performer of the Year after capturing Big 12 Championship titles in the 1000m and mile.
OSU's DMR squad also ran the second-fastest time in collegiate history that season before finishing eighth at the indoor championships while Billah (mile), Chelangat (5000m) and Kaylie Politza (1000m) set new school records in their respective events.
The Cowgirls rounded out the year with Chelangat and Politza qualifying for the NCAA Outdoor Championships in the 5000m and 800m race, respectively. Billah closed out her year with the fastest 1500m time (4:04.59) on the season – which was also the fifth-fastest in NCAA history and earned her USTFCCCA National Athlete of the Week honors.
During her stint with Baylor, Fredrick coached three NCAA South Central All-Region performers and a Second-Team All-American in Annamaria Kostarellis in the 10000m race at the 2023 NCAA Outdoor Championships.
Prior to her move to Division I, Frederick coached at Dawson Community College (2020-21) and at her alma mater Black Hills State (2021-22) – where she was an All-American (mile).
For the latest news and information on the Utah cross country and track & field programs, fans can stay connected online at www.UtahUtes.com, on social media by following on Facebook, X and Instagram or stay connected with Utah360 app.
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