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Woody Kincaid '15 is the talk of the running world this week as he recorded the fifth fastest 5,000-meter time in United States history Tuesday night on the Michael Johnson Track at the Nike Campus. The former University of Portland star continued his ascent in the professional ranks with the remarkable performance in front of friends, family and number of former Pilot teammates.

One of those fans in attendance was Kincaid's former running coach at Portland, Rob Conner.

"It was an amazing atmosphere and Woody really hit it out of the park," Conner said.  "It was awesome to see so many Pilot supporters out there, I know it helped him down the stretch. Woody is so talented, we all know that. To get to train with one of the best professional teams in the world is allowing him to fully reach his potential. We are very excited for him and to see what he can accomplish in the future!"

That future includes hopes of qualifying for the 5,000 at the upcoming 2020 Tokyo Olympics. His time on Tuesday of 12:58.10 bettered his personal best by 14 seconds and easily eclipsed the Olympic Standard of 13:13.50. He will need to finish in the top three at the 2020 United States Olympic Team Trials next summer to secure qualification.

It has been an exciting year for former Pilots in the professional running ranks. Scott Fauble '15 was the top American finisher at the 2019 Boston Marathon, recording one of the top times in U.S. history.
 

Did you know? The fastest Americans in the 5000m (@KincaidWoody) and the marathon (@scottfaubs) this year both earned @UPortland Bachelor's and Master's degrees while competing for our team.

— Portland Pilots XC (@PortlandPilotXC) September 11, 2019

Here's an update on a number of former Pilot runners doing impressive things in the professional ranks…
 

• Woody Kincaid (Bowerman Track Club): Placed third at the 2019 U.S. Championships in the 5,000 and followed with the No. 5 all-time 5,000 time in U.S. history (12:58.10) on Tuesday at Nike. With the Olympic Standard in his pocket, he will look to qualify with a top three finish at next summer's U.S. Olympic Trials.
• Scott Fauble (HOKA NAZ Elite): Seventh-place finish at the 2018 TCS New York City (2:12:28) and then smashed his personal best in the marathon with a 2:09:09 at the Boston Marathon, good for seventh place overall (top American) and one of the top times by a U.S. runner in Boston history.
• Reid Buchanan (Mammoth Track Club): Finished seventh at the 2019 USATF Championships 10,000 (28:22.80)… eighth at the 2019 USATF Cross Country Championships (29:36)… Silver Medalist in the 10,000 at the 2019 Pan American Games… eighth place at the 2017 USATF Championships 5,000.
• Stephen Kersh (Adidas): Signed with Adidas following his seventh-place finish at the Western States Endurance Run, covering 100 miles in 15 hours and 54 minutes… also writes for Citius Mag.
• Jeff Thies (Tinman Elite): Qualified and competed in the 5,000 at the 2019 USATF Championships… has broken a 4-minute mile twice this summer.
• Nick Hauger (HOKA NAZ Elite): After winning the 2018 WCC Cross Country and NCAA West Region individual titles, the two-time Cross Country All-American signed with HOKA NAZ Elite this year and is focused on the upcoming 2020 Olympic Trials in the 10,000.
• Tayte Pollmann (Nike Trail Running): Pollmann signed a four-year contract while still in college and has numerous high level results at World Mountain Championship events… he also provides great insight and training tips for the American Trail Running Association via TrailRunner.com.