Franek graduated in 2010 from Penn State University and graduated in 2014 from University of Oregon Sports Marketing MBA. She was the Big Ten Freshman of the Year in 2007. She was the bronze medalist in the NCAA outdoor steeplechase championship in 2008 with a time of 9:58.74. She was the NCAA outdoor steeplechase champion in 2010 with a time of 9:38.86.
