A bronze statue of Henry Rono erected by Washington State University in the US in honour of legendary Kenyan athlete Henry Rono.
Henry Rono, Wesley Korir, William Bii, Pamela Koskei, Brian Musau, Ishmael Rokitto and Doris Lemongole stand out as Kenyan athletes to have been honoured by their respective alma maters for their trailblazing contributions to collegiate athletics in the USA.
On October 6, Henry Rono, who is remembered as one of the most prolific collegiate competitors in the history of track and field in the United States was honoured posthumously by his alma mater, Washington State University (WSU), which erected a commemorative bronze statue in his honour at its Pullman Campus.
Born on February 12, 1952, Kenya’s long distance running legend Rono died on February 15, 2024. Due to the Kenyan boycott of the 1980 Moscow Olympics, he was not able to participate in the Olympics. However, his impact on collegiate and global athletics was massive.
Rono was celebrated for setting four world records in 81 days in 1978, bringing awe and praise to WSU for his extraordinary physical ability to dominate the track.
Kenyan distance running legend Henry Rono.
He started by breaking the world record in the 5,000 metres after clocking 13:08.4 to win his race on April 8, 1978 in Berkeley, California. After that, he shattered the 3,000m steeplechase world record in Seattle, USA, on May 13 after running 8:05.4. He followed that up with a world record in the 10,000m (27:22.47) in Vienna, Austria, on June 11. On June 27, he set a fourth world record after running 7:32.1 to win a 3 000m race in Oslo, Norway.
His steeplechase world record stood for more than 10 years. Rono broke his 5,000m world record in 1981.
Several other Kenyan athletes have also been honoured by their universities.
Haron Lagat, a Kenyan long distance runner who lives and trains in Colorado Springs, Colorado, states: “As a former athlete, I feel very proud when I see Kenyan athletes like Henry Rono and Wesley Korir being honoured by their former universities. They worked very hard and represented Kenya well.”
He goes on to state that it shows the positive contribution of these athletes to their alma maters is not forgotten. He feels that these athletes have made history and continue to open doors for young Kenyan athletes after them.
At the college and university level in the USA, there has been an increase in the number of Kenyan student athletes being recruited. During college or after graduation, many of the athletes in the US collegiate system end up running professionally and breaking records at the World Athletics Championships, and at the Olympic Games.
Successful collegiate runner
Wesley Korir is another Kenyan athlete who has been honoured by his former university in the US. The 2012 Boston Marathon champion attended the University of Louisville, and later Murray State University, which are in the state of Kentucky. He was a successful collegiate runner at both institutions.
In 2016, his former school, the University of Louisville, recognised him as a notable alumnus upon his selection to the Kenyan Olympic team.
Lagat feels that creating a historical memory of Kenyan athletes in USA is very important because it helps people remember their great work and achievements.
“They have left a legacy behind. These athletes made their schools proud and showed that athletics is not just running. It’s a way to make a living. Their stories inspire young people, mostly newly recruited students, to keep dreaming and never give up. It also helps build a strong friendship between Kenya and the US,” he says.
A new generation of Kenyan athletes is also being honoured through athletic scholarships. Their achievements at American universities, particularly at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Championships are historic.
Legendary Kenyan athlete the late Henry Rono during his running days.
At the recent NCAA National Championships in Eugene, Oregon, Kenyan athletes secured six titles. This was a historic achievement for Kenya’s college-level athletes.
Among those honoured for their 2025 collegiate milestones was Winny Bii of Texas A&M University. Bii was the first Kenyan to win an NCAA field event with her victory in the women’s triple jump. Winny is an All Africa Games triple jump silver medalist.
Pamela Kosgei, of the University of New Mexico, won the women’s 5,000m and 10,000m titles. Brian Musau, of Oklahoma State University, secured the men’s 5,000m title, while Ishmael Kipkurui took the men’s 10,000m title for the University of New Mexico.
Not to be left behind, Doris Lemngole of the University of Alabama broke a collegiate record while winning the women’s 3,000m steeple chase.
Other Kenyan collegiate athletes shining in the US include Irene Jepkemboi. She is the current javelin record holder at Texas Christian University, and competed for Kenya at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. She has an athletics scholarship and represents the Big 12, a collegiate athletic conference in the United States. It consists of 16 full-member universities (three private universities and 13 public universities).
Juliet Cherubet also has an athletics scholarship and is an All-American Cross Country champion in 1,500m in the Big 12 category. She represents Texas Tech University.
Legendary Kenyan athlete the late Henry Rono.
The NCAA collegiate athletics system has enabled countless Kenyans to pursue an athletics career while gaining a college education. Some have been merging sporting aspirations with academic ambitions.
Haron Lagat, who is an alumnus of Texas Tech University, was able to get a full scholarship to attend the university. This changed his life radically. He feels that the US collegiate athletics system develops students not just as athletes, but matures them into responsible adults. The graduate of St. Patrick’s High School in Iten, was coached under Brother Colm. He credits Brother Colm with making it easier for him to come to the USA.
On the rise of this new crop of Kenyan athletes, he reflects poignantly. He says “As a former athlete, it honestly makes me really proud to see this new generation of Kenyan athletes shining in US colleges through the NCAA. Recruiting programmes like Townhall Athletics, Peak Elite Scholars, Complete Sports in Kaptagat, Scholar Book, and KenSAP are opening incredible doors for young talent to study and compete abroad.”
He explains that what stands out most is how diverse their success has become. Kenya is no longer only a long distance running country. It has also begun to excel in field events.
“For me, their success means more than just sports; it’s about opportunity, education, and representing Kenya, their families, community and schools with pride. It gives hope to many young athletes back home who dream of following the same path. Ultimately, it reminds us that with the right support and exposure, there’s no limit to how far Kenyan talent can go,” he says.
