KU’s Lokedi finishes 12th in 5K; Coppinger 7th in steeplechase at NCAAs

Already a 2018 national champion in the 10K, University of Kansas distance runner extraordinaire Sharon Lokedi completed her NCAA outdoor track and field career Saturday night, in Eugene, Ore., with a 12th-place finish in the women’s 5K race at the NCAA Championships.

Lokedi, who earned second-team All-American status with her 5K result, is a three-time 10K first-team All-American and holds KU’s all-time records in both the 5K and 10K.

A 5-foot-6 runner from Eldoret, Kenya, Lokedi’s KU career isn’t over yet, with a year of eligibility remaining for both cross country and indoor track and field.

Three of her Kansas teammates also finished their seasons in style at the University of Oregon’s Hayward Field.

Senior Courtney Coppinger set a new personal record (9:49.04) in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, which placed her seventh and secured first-team All-American honors.

Freshman thrower Alexandra Emilianov took 12th in discus (51.30 meters) to become a second-team All-American.

KU junior LaTyria Jefferson went for 12th in high jump (1.73 meters), also earning the distinction of second-team All-American.

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