Thomas Pollard saved his best time for the world’s biggest stage.
Pollard finished 16th in the 10-kilometer race at the IAAF under-20 world championships on Tuesday in Bydgoszcz, Poland. The Iowa State freshman clocked in at 29 minutes, 53.84 seconds, a new personal best by more than 30 seconds. Rodgers Kwemoi of Kenya won the event in 27:25.23.
Pollard’s finish was the highest ranking by an American competing. The former Gilbert high school runner, who redshirted in 2015-16 for cross country, indoor and outdoor track sand field seasons, was also second among runners that hailed from North America.