RCW: Faces in the Crowd 4.10
Each week in Rock Chalk Weekly, the top Kansas Jayhawk performances are recognized as Faces in the Crowd. Get to know last week’s stars, including information on their latest accomplishments and a link to their full bio.
STEVEN SIMS JR.
Jr.-2L | 5-10 | 176
Full Bio
Junior wide receiver Steven Sims Jr., had a career day Saturday for the 2017 installment of the Sunflower Showdown presented by Dillons. Sims tallied a career-best 233 receiving yards, including a 60-yard touchdown, on nine catches, marking the first 200-yard receiving game by a Jayhawk since Dezmon Briscoe’s 242 yards against Missouri in 2009. Sims’ total ranks as the third-most in KU single-game history.
HALEY DOWNEY
Swimming & Diving | So.-1L
Full Bio
Sophomore Haley Downey earned first-place finishes in both the 100-yard and 200-yard breaststroke to push Kansas to a dual meet victory at TCU. Downey won the 100-yard event with a time of 1:04.36, while finishing the 200 yards at 2:20.74. Not only were both times season bests, but they came on a day trip to Fort Worth, Texas, where the Jayhawks flew in Saturday morning, raced in the meet and then flew back to Kansas that same day.
NINA KHMELNITCKAIA
Tennis | Jr.-2L
Full Bio
Kansas junior Nina Khmelnitckaia earned three doubles wins and posted three singles victories to finish the weekend undefeated at the Kansas Invitational played at the Jayhawk Tennis Center at Rock Chalk Park. In singles play, Khmelnitckaia topped opponents from Texas Tech, Maryland and Washington, while only falling in one of her seven sets played. Teaming with Anastasia Rychagova, the KU duo earned doubles victories over Texas Tech, Auburn and Washington.
SHARON LOKEDI
W. Cross Country | Jr.-2L
Full Bio
Sharon Lokedi became the first Big 12 Conference female to repeat as champion since 2008. She also became the ninth Kansas cross country runner and first female to win multiple conference titles, with Benson Chesang the last to do so in 2004 and 2005. Lokedi kept herself in great position the entire race, leaving no doubt that she would have a chance to repeat, as she led at the 2K and 4K checkpoints. With a powerful final 2K, Lokedi pulled away with ease and finished with a time of 20:00.5.
