Former KU All-American Sharon Lokedi honored among Jayhawk greats

By Matt Tait Apr 15, 2023

A silhouette of former Kansas All-American and national champion Sharon Lokedi sits at Rock Chalk Park on Friday, April 14, 2023, as runners compete at the Kansas Relays in the background. On Saturday, Lokedi became the first female and first international athlete to have her silhouette added to the other KU legends at Rim Rock Farms cross country course outside of Lawrence.

Years after she last made history by running for the Jayhawks, former University of Kansas All-American and national champion Sharon Lokedi was at it again this weekend at the Kansas Relays.

In a ceremony on the final day of the 100-year anniversary of the history-rich track meet, Lokedi became the first female and first international student-athlete to have her silhouette added to KU’s famed Rim Rock Farms cross country course.

The silhouette, which stands well over 6 feet tall, was present at Rock Chalk Park during the first two days of the Kansas Relays for fans and competitors alike to see up close and learn more about Lokedi’s story.

A 12-time Big 12 champion, 10-time All-American and the 2018 outdoor NCAA champion in the 10,000 meters, Lokedi was a star at KU throughout her career from 2015-19.

After leaving Lawrence, the Kenya native won the 2022 New York City Marathon, adding another major milestone to her growing list of accomplishments.

Lokedi also ran cross country for KU, and the addition of her silhouette to the Rim Rock course forever will put her in the company of some of the all-time greats who ever ran at Kansas.

Dispersed throughout the course are larger-than-life metallic, silhouette statues of Herb Semper, Allen Frame, John Lawson and Olympians Billy Mills, Wes Santee, Glenn Cunningham and Jim Ryun.

KU softball tops No. 8 Texas in series opener

Show/Post Comments

Written By Matt Tait

A native of Colorado, Matt moved to Lawrence in 1988 and has been in town ever since. He graduated from Lawrence High in 1996 and the University of Kansas in 2000 with a degree in Journalism. After covering KU sports for the University Daily Kansan and Rivals.com, Matt joined the World Company (and later Ogden Publications) in 2001 and has held several positions with the paper and KUsports.com in the past 20+ years. He became the Journal-World Sports Editor in 2018. Throughout his career, Matt has won several local and national awards from both the Associated Press Sports Editors and the Kansas Press Association. In 2021, he was named the Kansas Sportswriter of the Year by the National Sports Media Association. Matt lives in Lawrence with his wife, Allison, and two daughters, Kate and Molly. When he's not covering KU sports, he likes to spend his time playing basketball and golf, listening to and writing music and traveling the world with friends and family.