John Lawson

LEGENDARY JAYHAWKS John Lawson (1963-66)

As the most recent Kansas cross country runner to win the NCAA championships, John Lawson’s career signals yet another chapter in the golden era of Kansas cross country. In 1965, Lawson pulled off an impressive sweep, capturing both the Big Eight Conference championship and the NCAA individual title and was recognized with All-America status. A member of the KU Hall of Fame, Lawson also performed valiantly on the Kansas track and field team, earning three All-America awards: one indoor for his second-place performance in the two-mile run and two outdoor for consecutive second-place finishes in the three-mile run in 1965 and 1966. At the conference level, Lawson captured four individual championships: three indoor (1964 and 1966, two-mile run; 1966, mile run) and one outdoor championship (1965, three-mile run). Lawson’s statue at Rim Rock Farm can be found near the end of the third mile of the course, southwest of the finish line.

LAWSON’S ACCOLADES

• 1965 Big Eight Cross Country Champion • 1965 NCAA Champion • 1965 All-American