KU’s Lokedi Set 10K MR In 2018
Six women dipped under the 30-year-old, final-site meet record in the 10,000 meters at the 2018 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon.
Sharon Lokedi of Kansas led the charge with her 32:09.20 winner, followed by Dorcas Wasike of Louisville at 32:11.81, Karissa Schweizer of Missouri at 32:14.94, Alice Wright of New Mexico at 32:17.92, Charlotte Taylor of San Francisco at 32:17.95 and Anna Rohrer of Notre Dame at 32:26.24. All of them bettered the previous mark of 32:28.57, set by Sylvia Mosqueda of Cal State Los Angeles back in 1988, also at Hayward Field.
It should be mentioned that Mosqueda’s overall championships record had fallen two weeks earlier at the West Preliminary Round, when Schweizer sizzled 25 laps in 32:14.36. Schweizer, who closed that race in 67.48, was one of five athletes under Mosqueda’s standard (Wright, Taylor, Lokedi and Jaci Smith of Air Force were the others).
Lokedi got the last laugh, an NCAA title and the meet record not long after.
Through 9200 meters in Eugene, Oregon, Lokedi was locked in a duel with Schweizer and Taylor. All three were within one second of the lead after Schweizer went through that split first in 29:45.95, following the fastest lap of the afternoon at 74.80.
It only got faster from there – at least for Lokedi.
The Kansas star continued to push the pace, as she clocked a 74.17 penultimate lap and closed in 68.66 to put her name on top of the all-time chart in meet history.
The NCAA and collegiate track & field will mark a momentous milestone in the spring of 2021 -- the 100th anniversary of the NCAA Championships and with that, the NCAA Track & Field Championships. In June 1921, the University of Chicago hosted the first track & field championships in NCAA history.
This point can’t be emphasized enough: Not only was the event the first for NCAA track & field, but the first championships for any sport under the sponsorship of the NCAA.
To celebrate, over each of the next 365 days, the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) will celebrate moments, student-athletes, and coaches that have made a century’s worth of championships special. From humble beginnings to important historical milestones to the modern-day, collegiate track & field has evolved with the American society.
The 2021 edition of the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships begin with preliminary round action on May 27-29 in Jacksonville, Fla., and College Station, Texas. The championships final site and culmination of the celebration is slated for June 9-12, 2021 at the newly rebuilt Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore.
Bakewell’s Winding Road To 800 Meter Glory
Karen Bakewell set a meet record of 2:00.85 in the Women’s 800 Meters at the 1986 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
Hurdling History For Forrest “Spec” Towns
Forrest “Spec” Towns won back-to-back hurdling titles at the 1936 and 1937 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships as part of a legendary streak.
What A Finish In The 1500 Meters!
Yared Nuguse of Notre Dame beat Justine Kiprotich of Michigan State by 0.003 seconds for the 1500-meter title at the 2019 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
UCLA’s Griffith Sprinted Into History
Florence Griffith won two career individual titles at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships, which included a meet record in the 400 Meters.
Ewell Made Quite The (Penn) State-ment
Barney Ewell of Penn State completed the 100-200 double twice at the NCAA Outdoor Championships in 1940 and 1941.
Unique Discus History For Oerter In 1958
Al Oerter won back-to-back discus titles at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships, which included the only tie in meet history back in 1958.
Indiana State’s Hyche Swept Sprints In 1993
No athlete – male or female – has won more individual career sprint titles at the NCAA Division I Track & Field Championships than Holli Hyche of Indiana State!
Dendy’s Double-Double Put Him Among Greats
Marquis Dendy of Florida pulled off the double-double in the long jump & triple jump at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships in 2014 and 2015.
SMU’s Ezeh Hammered Out Greatness
Florence Ezeh is the only woman in the history of the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships to win three hammer throw titles in a career.
Gehrmann Starred In The Mile/1500
Don Gehrmann of Wisconsin won three consecutive 1500/mile titles at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships between 1948 and 1950!