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Originally from Connecticut and an east coast guy through-and-through, Nikolaj Freschlin has definitely broadened his horizons since coming to Long Beach State to pursue his Master of Science degree in Exercise Science. Now he avidly eats In-N-Out, roots for teams other than Red Sox and UConn teams, and is interning with the LA Dodgers this summer after graduation. 

“Everything has happened really, really fast,” Freschlin says. “If you told me a year ago, I’d be working with the Dodgers at Dodgers Stadium, I’d be like, ‘What are you talking about, man?!’” 

This coming from a guy who, prior to being selected into the highly competitive Department of Kinesiology Exercise Science graduate program, says he hadn’t been farther west than Tallahassee, Florida -- most of the time staying pretty close to his tight-knit New England community. 

“Everyone I knew in high school went to UConn, my family are all die-hard UConn fans, but I wanted to do something different.” 

Freschlin, a baseball player himself in high school, went to the University of Rhode Island for his undergraduate studies. He also took up javelin throwing. 

“I’ve always been able to throw things really, really hard,” Freschlin admits. “I love all things having to do with throwing mechanics.” 

Nikolaj first heard of Long Beach State when the Dirtbags were in the College World Series a few years ago. He had one year of eligibility as a student athlete himself to run track and field, and was looking for a great track program when searching for a school where he would pursue his advanced degree. 

“So, I looked into [Long Beach State] and it turns out they also happened to have a phenomenal Kinesiology program; and the Track program was great too – I mean, our head coach – LaTanya Sheffield – was the women’s [USA team] head coach for the Olympics this past year. She’s awesome!”

Joining the Long Beach Men’s Track and Field team, first walking on as a scholarship athlete, and then transitioning into a team coach, Freschlin began delving deep into the world of sport analytics.  He credits his master’s program advisor, Dr. Sam Zeff, as a major inspiration to following his passions. 

“He has fostered a love of biomechanics and neuromuscular control in my time here, that I did not think possible before admittance to this program,” Freschlin says. “Because of Dr. Zeff, I have been able to pursue my dreams of obtaining a PhD, with hopes of becoming a sports biomechanist. 

Freschlin is certainly on his way, having been selected for an independent study with Dr. Zeff this past academic year at ����Ӱ��, which Nikolaj credits in helping him land the Dodgers internship. As part of his graduate studies, Nikolaj worked with the Dirtbags Baseball pitching staff to develop reports analyzing the biomechanics of its team pitchers – hoping to understand and assess motor functions and other metrics designed to help players become better athletes.

“I ended up coming out of that study with being able to put some pretty cool things on my resume; I spent hours in the Movement Science Lab. I would be in the lab to start each morning around 7am, teach and go to practice in the middle, and be back at the lab and wouldn’t leave until 10 or 11 o’clock at night.”

Freschlin would spend every last waking minute coding and inputting data in the Movement Science Lab and says he became obsessed with data visualizations and management – this coming from someone who self-admittedly calls himself a baseball nerd. 

“I was one of those people who could recite to you ‘x player’s’ batting average from 2015 to 2019.”   

Adds Freschlin, “My time here at ����Ӱ�� has been a really rewarding experience for me. I’m looking forward to what’s next.”