2006-2007: In her third year, Alex represented State in six cross-country meets. She had a top-ten finish at the Georgia State Invitational with a time of 20:29 and competed in the NCAA South Regional 6k, finishing in 23:40. She set a new personal best in the mile run in indoor track at the Virginia Tech Challenge, where she finished in 5:18.52 for 25th. In outdoor track, Alex had her strongest showing at the FSU Snowbird Invitational where she claimed fifth in the 1,500m dash and 11th in the 800m dash. For her academic work, Alex was named to the Athletic Director’s Honor Roll each semester, and she was also awarded the CAA Commissioner’s Academic Award.
2005-06: Alex continued to improve in her second season wearing Panther blue. She participated in six cross-country meets in the fall. Alex ran a 20:05 in the 5K at the UNCW Invitational to finish 22nd. During the indoor track season, Alex set a new personal-best time in the mile run clocking in at 5:19.23 at the Virginia Tech Challenge. Alex saw a lot of action during the outdoor season, participating in the 800m, 1500m and the 5000m. She ran an 800m personal best (2:24.38) and a 1500m season best time (4:48.53) at the Seminole Invitational. Alex earned recognition for her work in the classroom. She was named to the Athletic Director’s Honor Roll in the spring. The CAA also acknowledged Alex with a Commissioner’s Academic Award.
2004-05: Alex made strong contributions to both cross country and track programs in her first year as a Lady Panther. In the fall she placed in the top five on the team in every race she ran, including a top-10 finish at the Troy Invitational. Friel ran her best time of the season (19:24) at the Greater Louisville Invitational and was third on the team at the Auburn Invitational turning in a solid time of 20:00. During outdoor track season Alex competed in the 800, 1500, and 5000 meter events. She ran her season best 1500 time when it counted most, placing 14th at the A-Sun Championship meet in a time of 4:53.80. Her best 5K time was 18:57.79, ran at the Florida State Opener.
Prep: Friel was a member of South Simcoe Dufferin club team that won the bronze medal at the Canadian Junior Nationals in 2003. While running for Saint Joseph's High School in Barrie, Ontario, Alex was the 2004 Central Region Champion in the 3,000 meters and was Region runner-up in the 1,500 meters. At he 2004 OFSAA Track and Field Championships, she was a top 10 finisher in the 1,500 meters.
Personal: Alex was born on October 14, 1986, in North Bay, Ontario. She is the oldest of Vince and Flo Friel's six children. Her father finished 4th in the 2004 World Master's Championship in the 1500 meters.
