Olympic Pentathlete
May 22, 2018 11:44 AM
Jane Frederick
Olympic Pentathlete

Jane Frederick was the first great American female multi-eventer, setting 22 American records in the pentathlon (15) and heptathlon (7). Although she competed at two Olympics, she missed the 1980 Olympics because of the boycott and the 1984 Olympics because of injury. She won nine US outdoor multi-championships, the pentathlon in 1972-73, 1975-76, and 1979, and the heptathlon in 1981, 1983, and 1985-86. Frederick also won the AIAW pentathlon in 1973, while competing for the University of Colorado, and was AAU Champion in the 100 hurdles in 1975-76. She was the gold medalist in the 1975 Universiade pentathlon, and was silver medalist at that event in 1977. Frederick was ranked #1 in the US in the multis every year from 1975-85, save 1980, and was ranked #1 in the world in the heptathlon in 1985. After college, she competed for [Athletics West], and has since become a track coach at the [University of Texas].