Lokedi named Big 12 Indoor Track & Field Women’s Performer of the Year
IRVING, Texas – Kansas senior distance runner Sharon Lokedi was tabbed at the 2019 Big 12 Indoor Track & Field Women’s Performer of the Year, announced by the conference offices on Friday.
Lokedi’s award marks the fifth Big 12 Performer of the Year Award of her career. Previously, the Eldoret, Kenya native was named the Big Women’s Performer of the Year for the 2018 indoor track & field season and the 2017 outdoor track & field season, as well as twice for cross country in 2016 and 2017.
“We are extremely excited for Sharon,” Kansas head coach Stanley Redwine said. “She put in the work, she deserves everything that comes her way, as far as rewards. She is a senior, we are going to miss her, and there aren’t enough great things that I can say about her and what she has meant to the University of Kansas, and what she meant to me. The accomplishments she has achieved on the track proves what a special competitor she is and we are excited to have her here and we are looking forward to her doing well in her final meet for Kansas at the NCAA Championships next week.”
The senior won this year’s Women’s Performer of the Year after notching two conference titles at the Big 12 Indoor Championship, winning the 3,000 and 5,000 meters and earning the women’s high-point award of the meet. Not only did Lokedi win two Big 12 titles so far this season, but she also broke her own school record in the 5,000-meter run in her season debut at the Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener (Dec. 1), clocking in at 15:15.47, which is the No. 6 all-time mark in NCAA indoor history and ranks her as the No. 3 seed in the event at the NCAA Indoor Championships in Birmingham, Alabama, March 8-9.
Lokedi also helped the women’s distance medley relay team to a school record for the second-straight year, by running the anchor 1,600-meter leg at the Alex Wilson Invitational (Feb. 16) to post a combined time of 10:58.31.
With the newest honor to Lokedi’s name, there have now been five Women’s Big 12 Track & Field Performer of the Year awards by Kansas athletes. Paris Daniels earned the honor for her 2013 outdoor season and Candace Mason was named Performer of the Year for the 1998 outdoor season as well.
Lokedi’s entry in the 5,000 meters at the upcoming NCAA Indoor Championships is one of nine Kansas entries in the meet. ESPN3 will stream the championships via WatchESPN.com, live starting at 5:30 p.m. CST on Friday, March 8 and starting at 4 p.m. CST on Saturday, March 9. A re-air of the championship will take place starting at 9 p.m. CDT on Sunday, March 10 on ESPN2 and again Monday, March 11 starting at 9 p.m. CDT on ESPNU.
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