Greensboro, NC - The Guilford County Sports Hall of Fame announced their 2025 class on Wednesday, and Greensboro College Head Women's Triathlon Coach, Senior Women's Administrator, and Associate Athletic Director Karen Buxton was named to the 20th Hall of Fame class. Greensboro College Athletics Hall of Fame member Lem Cox was also named to the Hall of Fame on Wednesday.

Buxton, who was hired by Greensboro College in 2021 to start the Triathlon program, enters the Guilford County Sports Hall of Fame with an illustrious resume, including being a four-time Team USA Triathlon member and a six-time Team USA Duathlon member.

Since the year 2000, Buxton has coached hundreds of age-group athletes to world and national championships. Buxton also founded the field hockey team at Greensboro Day School and was there from 1996-2012. In 2002, she was named NCISAA Coach of the Year. While at Greensboro Day, she also coached JV girls soccer and basketball. Buxton worked with the Greensboro Youth Soccer Association as a coach from 1995-1997. 

Buxton's athletic resume is as unique as anyone's, with just some of her accomplishments including being the first female Hall of Fame inductee at The Pennington School as well as being inducted into the Johnson State College Hall of Fame, becoming a USA Triathlon All-American (2001, 2003, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2023), a USAT Duathlon All-American (2007 & 2014), earning Ironman All-World Silver Athlete recognition (2014, 2015, 2016, 2023), and Ironman All-World Bronze Athlete recognition (2024), a 15-time Ironman finisher, including the Ironman World Championships (2004 & 2014), and has competed in over 200 triathlons and duathlons.

Buxton also founded Team Tri for Hospice, a non-profit charitable enterprise that has raised over $180,000 for hospices since 2012 and was the Founder and Director of The Green & Gold 5K - A Race for Literacy, 1998-2003.

Buxton says of her Hall of Fame induction, "I'm very honored to be inducted into the Guilford County Athletics Hall of Fame. I've been extremely fortunate to spend my life in sports, both as an athlete and a coach, and none of it would have been possible without the people who believed in me along the way. This recognition isn't just about me, it reflects the support, mentorship, and teamwork that shaped my journey. I'm truly grateful to be part of this community and humbled to be included among so many who have meant so much to Guilford County athletics."

Cox, a 2019 Greensboro College Athletics Hall of Fame inductee, had a lasting impact on the Guilford County community, serving 32 years for Greensboro City Schools and being at the forefront of many new sports initiatives in the city. Cox was also a founding member of Special Olympics North Carolina. 

The 2025 Guilford County Sports Hall of Fame Class ceremony will take place on September 9th at First Horizon Coliseum.