EUGENE, OR.- Two Zag Track & Field Alumni finished in top 10 in USA Track & Field's National Championships in the 10,000 meters last night.

James Mwaura (class of 2023) finished fifth in the nation in the 10k, running a time of 29:16.70.  Wil Smith (class of 2025) finished ninth nationally, logging a time of 29:26.15. The incredibly competitive field featured several of the best American distance runners, including four runners that competed last year in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Mwaura finished in front of one of those Olympians las night, fellow WCC alum Woody Kincaid, announcing himself as a new runner to be aware of in the upper echelon of American distance runners. Mwaura led the race for a lap around the 5,500 meters mark before settling back in to fifth place.

Smith impressed in his professional debut, finishing less than a second behind Kincaid and securing a top ten spot in a stacked field that was led by three Olympians taking the top spots to qualify for the World Athletic Championship. Smith has signed to run with Hansons-Brooks Distance Project.

An iconic innovative running team and training program for over 25 years, the Hanson-Brooks Distance Project has produced four Olympians, a dozen national champions, and over 75 US national team members. The newest signing for the team, Smith has made an immediate impression and will look continue to expand his upstart role in American distance running after wrapping up an iconic collegiate career while running in his hometown for the Bulldogs.  

Mwaura will have another chance to make an impression on the world of Track & Field when he competes in the finals for the 5,000 meters on Monday night. The men's 5k final will be broadcast nationally on NBC when it starts at 1:52 pm on August 3^rd.