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.
Iowa’s Gordon Made Competition Pay In LJ
Edward Gordon won three consecutive long jump titles at the NCAA Outdoor T&F Championships from 1929 to 1931.
Powell Capped Career With 2006 Masterpiece
Ginnie Powell won back-to-back 100H titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 2005 & 2006. Powell set a collegiate record with her 12.48 from that second year.
Fromm Rewrote NCAA Javelin History
John Fromm won back-to-back javelin titles at the NCAA Outdoor T&F Championships in 1957 & 1958. Fromm set MRs each time, hitting 257-1 (78.36m) in that second year.
Allen Sealed Oregon’s Title With 110H MR
Devon Allen won two career 110H titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. Allen set a MR of 13.16 in 2014.
Deniz Won Epic Discus Final In 1983
Leslie Deniz won the discus throw at the 1983 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships with a MR heave of 63.96m (209-10).
Fonville Made Shot Put History In 1947
Charles Fonville won back-to-back shot put titles at the NCAA Outdoor T&F Championships in 1947 & 1948. His best mark came in 1947 when he won at 16.73m (54‑10⅞).
Montana’s Brown Set Two MRs in 1965
Doug Brown completed the 3-mile/6-mile double at the 1965 NCAA Outdoor T&F Championships with MRs in each event: 13:40.2 in the 3-mile, 27:59.2 in the 6-mile.
Hook ‘Em, Courtney: Okolo Starred At NCAAs
Courtney Okolo won two career 400-meter titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. Okolo’s 50.23 winner from 2014 is the fastest mark by a sophomore in meet history.
UTEP’s Munyala Dominated The Steeplechase
James Munyala won three consecutive steeplechase titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships between 1975 & 1977. He set a MR of 8:24.86 in 1976.
UCLA’s Johnson Set MRs In Back-To-Back Years
Sheena Johnson won back-to-back 400H titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 2003 & 2004. Johnson set MRs each time: 54.24 (2003) & 53.54 (2004).