From Kenya to London: Harding Graduate Running for the Gold

A Harding University Graduate is warming up for the 10-000 Meters in London.

Some of her teammates and coach, tells KARK how excited they are to see one of their own in the Olympics.

"She always finished in front of me of course," said her former teammate Tia Stone.

33-year-old Janet Cherobon-Bawcom is not your average Harding University Graduate.

She is from Kenya, and her mother never wanted her to participate in track and field.

But one day, Sports Information Director at Harding, Scott Goode, said her mother sent her to take a package to her aunt.

That was 40 miles away.

Janet, said she was tired and it was hot, so she started jogging.

Then a man drove up in a car and asked, if she needed a ride.

She said yes, and that ride would change her life.

She had gotten in the car with an Olympic Gold Medalist from Kenya, who had helped other students from Kenya attend Harding University in Searcy.

Janet, ended up one of those students.

She, came to Harding in 2000 from Kenya, on a track scholarship.

But didn't get her training in her native land.

Janet's dedication, and development all formed over the years at Harding.

Head Coach of Cross Country and Track at Harding, Steve Guymon, didn't recruit her, but he has played an intricate role in her development, he said, "She's without a doubt the hardest worker I've ever had, she would say I don't think I can do that, but she never didn't do it."

He says when Janet first arrived, going to the Olympics was not on the radar.

"I don't think she had that vision. Or the thought that she was gonna go for something like that."

Now, Janet is in London to run the 10-0000 Meters on Friday, and a friend from Searcy will be there to cheer her on.

Tish Pace, is a long time family friend of Janet's husbands family. She will leave for London on Wednesday with Janet's sister-in-law.

"Friday she runs, we've got our tickets for that night. Saturday not sure of the plan, but Sunday is the Women's Marathon and we are going to watch that."

Coach Guymon said this couldn't have happened to a better person.

"She's a great leader. I mean not only did she smile all the time, she's very humble."

And she was an inspiration to her teammates, said Tia, "She gave me my competitive side, like I tried to keep up with Janet at practice and meets, she was very encouraging and inspiring."

Friday may just be the weekend to many, but for some in Hardin, "I'll be watching," said Coach Guymon.

They will all be watching the Olympics, where it's time to cheer on, one of their own.

Janet, holds numerous NCAA Championship records well as Harding school records.

She met her husband Jay Bawcom, also a Harding graduate, when he went to Kenya on a missions trip, met her mother, but had never met Janet.

Her mother asked if Jay would take a care package back to Janet at Harding.

The rest is history.

They live in Rome, Georgia, where she is studying to become a nurse.

Janet's race is Friday at 3:25 P.M. Central Time, on KARK.