Sonja Friend-Uhl

Biography

Sonja Friend-Uhl came to Florida Atlantic University as an assistant cross country and track & field coach in 2016. Prior to FAU, Friend-Uhl served in a similar role at Vanderbilt University from 2012-2015. Friend-Uhl, an accomplished runner, began her collegiate running career at The College of William & Mary and she continues to compete to this day. In March of 2021, she set a new American record in the women’s 1500 meters (50-54 age group) with a time of 4:41.23. In the 2019 World Masters (45-49 age group) Indoor Championships held in Poland, she won a gold medal in the 800 meters as well as a silver in the 1500 meters. Professionally, she has been a member of six United States world teams and competed in the 2000 U.S. Olympic Trials. She currently holds additional American records in the Women’s (age 40 and above) Masters Indoor Mile with a time of 4:44.84, the Women’s Masters Outdoor 1500m (4:16.9), the Women’s Masters Outdoor Mile (4:45.68) and the Women’s Masters Indoor 3000m (9:48.23). When not working with FAU, Friend-Uhl is a personal fitness trainer and private running coach. She holds a USATF Coaching certification and has certifications in fitness with ACE, the ACSM and AFAA. Friend-Uhl is the lead master trainer at Core Health & Fitness, which manufactures high end gym equipment.