Erick Friedman brings extensive experience in elite competition, athlete development, and the throwing events to the Mercyhurst University track and field program.
A former NCAA All-American and two-time All-Conference performer in the javelin, Friedman competed collegiately at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP), graduating in 1999 with studies in Business, Entrepreneurship, and Computer Science.
Friedman continued competing at the national and international levels, earning seven USATF Masters All-American honors, four USATF Masters National Championships, and two World Masters Championships.
His coaching experience spans the club, high school, collegiate, and private levels. As head coach of SPEARWERX Track Club, Friedman has coached 12 All-Americans in the javelin and shot put, including four national champions. His high school athletes and teams have earned region and district championships, state medals, and state titles. He also previously served as an assistant coach at Edinboro University, specializing in the javelin.
Among the athletes Friedman has helped develop are his daughter, Audrey, and son, Mason. Audrey Friedman was the 2022 PIAA Class 2A javelin state champion, a New Balance All-American, six-time USATF All-American, and USATF national champion before continuing her career at Penn State. At the collegiate level, she became a three-time NCAA Division I East First Round qualifier and ranks among the top 10 javelin throwers in Penn State history.
Mason Friedman captured the 2026 PIAA Class 2A state championship in the shot put with a winning throw of 61-0½, ranking No. 10 all-time in PIAA Class 2A state championship history. He also placed third in the discus at the state championships and is a USATF Youth national champion in both the shot put and javelin.
In addition to coaching and competing, Friedman is the owner of SPEARWERX, a track and field equipment company specializing in the design and manufacture of high-performance custom javelins and throwing equipment.
Friedman's background as an NCAA All-American, national and world champion, championship-winning coach, and equipment designer gives him a comprehensive approach to developing throwers at the collegiate level.
