BOSTON – The Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) today announced that NCAA All-Americans Annie Rodenfels, Eric Hamer, and Abbey Wheeler have joined the B.A.A. High Performance Team. All three athletes will be coached by B.A.A. High Performance Coach Mark Carroll and will train in Boston. The B.A.A.’s High Performance Team is sponsored by adidas.
“We are excited to welcome new talented athletes to our team with the additions of Annie, Eric, and Abbey,” said Coach Carroll. “All three athletes have bright careers ahead of them, and we are looking forward to them competing at the highest level sporting the B.A.A. unicorn. Their success collegiately and post-collegiately is a great indication of what’s to come.”
Rodenfels joins the B.A.A. after a decorated career at Centre College (Kentucky) where she was a three-time NCAA Division III national champion and seven-time All-American. Post-collegiately, Rodenfels qualified and competed at the 2021 U.S. Olympic Trials in the 3,000m steeplechase. Rodenfels has represented Greenville Track Club-Elite since 2019, and this year set personal bests of 4:13.49 in the 1,500m and 9:46.9 in the 3,000m steeplechase.
“I am extremely excited to be joining the Boston Athletic Association and have the opportunity to train with such an esteemed group,” said Rodenfels. “I am confident that the B.A.A., Mark Carroll and adidas will be able to support and guide me to achieving my goals. My hopes are to utilize this aid to accomplish big things the next few years and run considerable PR’s while proudly representing the Boston Athletic Association.”
Hamer, a graduate of Colorado State University, finished runner-up at the NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships 5,000 meters in 2021. While competing for the Rams, Hamer set three school records this year, running 13:29.60 for 5,000m indoors; 13:31.27 for 5,000m outdoors; and 27:44.87 for 10,000m. He’ll reunite with former CSU teammate Jerrell Mock on the B.A.A. High Performance Team.
“I am very honored and excited to begin my professional running career with such a historic club,” said Hamer. “It is an amazing opportunity to be able to call running my full-time job, and I would never have made it to this day without the support of my college coaches, parents, and very soon to be wife Audrey. I have the utmost trust and faith in the direction of Coach Carroll and am looking forward to working with him and the rest of the B.A.A. team and staff.”
Wheeler comes to the B.A.A. from Providence College, where she was a four-time All-American for the Friars. In June, Wheeler set a lifetime best of 33:04.56 to finish 12th at the 2021 NCAA Track & Field Outdoor Championships 10,000m. At the 2021 NCAA Championships Indoors, Wheeler was fifth in the 5,000m, running 15:51.87.
“I am beyond grateful to be joining the B.A.A. High Performance Team,” said Wheeler. “Running has been a passion of mine since I was 12 and I am so excited to explore the sport professionally. Thank you to the B.A.A. for giving me the opportunity to test my limits under Mark and with the support of the High Performance team members.”
The B.A.A.’s High Performance team supports American runners on their way towards making international teams, with the goal of competing at the highest level: the Olympic Games, World Athletics Championships, and Abbott World Marathon Majors. The B.A.A. is sponsored by adidas, which provides comprehensive support for the organization’s High Performance team, running club, and mass-participatory events.
Personal bests for Rodenfels, Hamer, and Wheeler can be found below, along with a complete list of B.A.A. High Performance Team members.
Annie Rodenfels
800m (outdoors): 2:13.72
1,500m (outdoors): 4:13.49
3,000m (indoors): 9:18.93
3,000m Steeplechase: 9:46.98
5,000m (outdoors): 15:35.18
5,000m (indoors): 16:34.80
5K: 16:09
Eric Hamer
Mile (indoors): 4:15.17
3,000m (indoors): 8:22.20
5,000m (outdoors): 13:31.27
5,000m (indoors): 13:29.60
10,000m (outdoors): 27:44.87
5K: 14:34
Half Marathon: 1:08:08
Abbey Wheeler
1,500m (outdoors): 4:31.74
Mile (outdoors): 4:41.93
Mile (indoors): 4:44.81
3,000m (outdoors): 9:11.36
3,000m (indoors): 9:08.17
5,000m (outdoors): 15:46.87
5,000m (indoors): 15:40.67
10,000m (outdoors): 33:04.56
B.A.A High Performance Team Roster:
Eric Hamer
Jonas Hampton
Paul Hogan
Erika Kemp
Matt McDonald
Jerrell Mock
Annie Rodenfels
Abbey Wheeler