2016 BYU Hall of Fame

Upon transferring to BYU from the University of New Orleans, Michaela Mannova made an immediate impact and became one of the greatest distance runners in program history. She was a member of the BYU cross country team from 2001-03. During her time on the team, Mannova was honored as a First-Team All-American and selected to the All-MWC First Team three years in a row. She was also named the 2003 MWC Athlete of the Year during her senior season of cross country.

Mannova led BYU to back-to-back national titles at the 2001 and 2002 NCAA Cross Country National Championships, where she was the first BYU finisher both years. In 2002, Michaela led BYU to an undefeated season as the Cougars won nine straight meets. At the 2003 NCAA Cross Country National Championships, Mannova finished fourth overall, helping BYU to place second.

In track and field, Mannova also excelled at the conference and national levels. During her first year at BYU, she won the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the 2002 MWC Outdoor Championships. Her senior year she won both the 3,000-meter and the mile at the 2004 MWC Indoor Championships, also claiming the MWC Women’s Outstanding Performance Award and Women’s High Point Award. In her final outdoor track season, she was the MWC 5000 meter Champion and was named Academic All-MWC.

Mannova achieved many national honors and titles while at BYU. She was selected as an USTFCCCA All-American eight times, earning All-America honors in three events in 2002, two events in 2003, and three events in 2004. During her first season on the team she was a national champion in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the 2002 NCAA Outdoor Championships, setting NCAA Championship and Czech Republic records with a time of 9:44.94. 

After her BYU career, Mannova moved back to the Czech Republic, where she won three national titles—all before the age of 23. She also built on her BYU bachelor’s degree in animal science by graduating from the University of Veterinary Science in the Czech Republic.

Michaela married another outstanding Czech athlete, David Gerychova, and the couple lives in Zajecov.

Indoor: 

• Won the mile at the Illinois Women's Invitational with a time of 4:53.90
• Ran a season-best 4:47.12 to win the mile at the Mountain State Games
• Finished third in the mile (4:56.94) and sixth in the 800m (2:16.08) to help the Cougars win the MWC Indoor Championships
• Ran an NCAA-qualifying time of 9:27.97 to win the 3000m at the Intermountain Championships
• Earned her third All-American citation with an eighth-place finish in the 3000m and her fourth as a member of the distance medley relay team that finished fourth

Outdoor: 

• Took second in the 3000m steeplechase (10:09.3) at the Mt. SAC Relays
• Finished third in the 3000m steeplechase in 10:16.98 at the Cardinal Invitational
• Won the 3000m steeplechase at the MWC Outdoor Championships
• Ran a personal best 9:45.94 to win the 3000m steeplechase at the NCAA Outdoor Championships, also set a new Czech Republic and NCAA Championship record

Indoor: 

• Won the mile (4:46.50) and placed fourth in the 800m (2:17.02) at Boise State
• Finished first in the 3000m (9:16.79) at the Nebraska Husker Invitational
• Ran the mile in 4:50.83 to place first at the MWC Indoor Championships
• Finished fifth in the 3000m (9:11.61) at the NCAA Indoor Championships

Outdoor: 

• Did not compete 

Indoor: 

• Ran the 3000m in 9:09.27 at the Washington Invitational
• Placed first in both the 3000m (10:05.28) and the mile (5:03.70) and second in the 5000m (17:52.70) at the MWC Indoor Championships and received the MWC Female Outstanding Performance and High Point Awards
• Finished eighth in the 3000m (9:14.14) and sixth as a member of the distance medly relay (11:12.60) at the NCAA Indoor Championships

Outdoor: 

• Placed third in the 5000m (15:49.79) at the Mt. SAC Relays
• Took second in the 1500m (4:31.57) at the Robison Invitational
• Captured fourth in the 3000m steeplechase at the Cardinal Invitational
• Won the 5000m and took fifth in the 1500m at the MWC Outdoor Championships
• Took third in the 3000m steeplechase (9:54.18) at the NCAA West Regional Championships
• Earned All-American honors with a third place finish in the steeplechase (9:56.66) at the NCAA Outdoor Championships
• Named Academic All-MWC.