JACKSON SHARP JOINS HOKA NAZ ELITE
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz., September 24, 2024 – HOKA Northern Arizona Elite announced today that the team has added Australian distance runner, Jackson Sharp, to its roster. Sharp, a 2024 graduate of the University of Wisconsin, was a six-time Big Ten champion and six-time NCAA All-American. He was also third in the 5,000 meters at at the 2024 Australian Athletics Championships and owns personal bests of 3:54.63 for the mile, 7:44.10 for 3,000 meters and 13:17.08 for 5,000 meters.
Sharp moved to Flagstaff earlier this month and has already begun training with his new teammates, including fellow Wisconsin alum, Olin Hacker, reigning USATF 8k champion, Ahmed Muhumed, former NCAA 5,000 meter champion, Wesley Kiptoo, and former American collegiate record holder at 5,000 meters indoors, Tyler Day.
HOKA NAZ Elite head coach, Jack Mullaney, said Sharp had been on his radar for several months.
“Jackson is an athlete with the tools to be world class,” Mullaney said. “He is someone we identified very early on because of his success across a range of events and his ability to consistently execute in championship races.”
Sharp, one of three siblings, was born and raised in the small town of Wentworth Falls, Australia in the Blue Mountains region of New South Wales. In high school he was a State champion in the 800 and 1500 meters and was the 2017 Australian U18 cross country champion before deciding to move to the United States.
Sharp said that joining the team is giant step as he looks to the future.
“I am super excited to be a part of this team and keen to see where it all takes me,” Sharp said.
Mullaney also said that bringing Sharp onto the team bolsters an already world-class training group on the men’s side and sends a message to future recruits about the team’s goals, moving forward.
“Jackson is a great training fit with our track group that includes Adriaan Wildschutt who was 10th at the Olympic Games, Olin Hacker who was fifth at World Indoors, and Ahmed Muhumed who was 36th at the World Cross Country Championships,” Mullaney said. “Adding Jackson only strengthens our team as we begin the next Olympic cycle leading up to Los Angeles in 2028.”
Sharp will likely make his HOKA NAZ Elite debut later this fall before focusing on the indoor and outdoor track seasons in 2025.
ABOUT HOKA NAZ ELITE
Helping athletes achieve their goals with a human-centered approach to high performance, and elevating our communities through sharing and interacting.
###