Freeman takes over track & field program

The Saddleback athletics department was thrilled to announce this week that Gigi Freeman will be the new head coach of the track & field program.  Freeman has been with the program since 2020.

Freeman takes over for Mark Blethen, who retired following the 2025 season.  She brings a wealth of experience to the table.

Previous to Saddleback, Freeman spent four years as an assistant coach and nine years as the head coach at Soka University.  During her tenure at Soka, Freeman had 38 NAIA national qualifiers and 11 All-Americans.  In addition, Freeman received the Cal Pac "Coach of the Year" award for the national qualifying women's cross-country squad in 2012.

Freeman started her coaching career as a track and field coach at San Luis Obispo High School, then went on to coach at Allan Hancock Community College in Santa Maria while completing her master's degree in kinesiology.

Freeman is both a Level 2 USATF Track & Field Coach and Sprints/Hurdle/ Relay Specialist through the USTFCCCCA. She is also a certified ACSM Exercise Physiologist and Certified Strength and Conditioning Coach through the NSCA.