Joanna Friesen

Sweet Briar College

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Pete Emerson

Joanna Friesen was named head coach of the Sweet Briar cross country/track & field program on March 1st, 2023. Friesen was elevated to Senior Woman Administrator in August of 2025.

Friesen came 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.

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.

A 2017 graduate of Houghton College with a Bachelor 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 completed her Master of Divinity at EMU in 2021 while also serving in assistant coaching duties.

SWEET BRIAR ACCOMPLISHMENTS

COACHING RESUME

Sweet Briar College (2023-Present)
- Head Cross Country/Track & Field Coach (2023-Present)
Eastern Mennonite University (2017 - 2023)
- Assistant Cross Country/Track & Field Coach (2017 - 2023)
- Assistant Triathlon Coach (2019 - 2023)

COLLEGIATE CAREER

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Sweet Briar Cross Country/Track & Field (@sbcxctf) • Instagram photos and videos