3 minute read
Chris Kincaid
The words and actions of several individuals in his young life came into play while Chris Kincaid looked ahead to the physical therapy he would endure to overcome a sports-related hip surgery in 2019. The courage and determination of his mother, the sacrifice and non-stop support of grandparents, and the mentoring that came from several father figures brought a clear focus to Chris’ understanding of what was in front of him and what he had to do.
Recalling the agonizing moment he realized he could lose his ability to run competitively, Kincaid’s immediate course of action was to “toughen up” and resolve to do everything in his power to fully heal.
Sports had been a passion for Kincaid from an early age. His mother, Kristi Kincaid (a 1991 Northwestern graduate), added coaching to her teaching career. The two would spend several Saturday afternoons watching basketball games on television. At one point in his life in Arizona, Kincaid crossed paths with Northwestern alumnus Roy Platt, ’93, who was on the Ranger football and track teams.
“Roy provided a lot of encouragement as he pushed me to improve my skills. What I remember most, though, was his advice to 'toughen up' and play like a champion. With Roy, there was no other option.
Kincaid admits he experienced times of self-doubt during his eight-month recovery period, but his Northwestern teammates rallied and provided consistent encouragement that he would return. In August of 2020, he did return to compete with Northwestern’s cross country team.
“Chris is one of the most dedicated athletes I have ever coached, ” said Jill Lancaster, head cross country/track and field coach. “A lesser person would have walked away after this kind of injury. Chris knows his talents and he knows his strengths. If there is a way, Chris will make it happen. Kincaid grew up in a single-parent home on a Navajo reservation in Arizona where his mother taught school. Eventually they moved to Mooreland, Okla., where his mother’s parents had raised their family.
Kincaid blended his passions for helping others and athletics, setting his goal to become an athletic trainer. He graduated in December 2020 with a major in health and sports science and a minor in biology. He is taking prerequisite classes at Northwestern in preparation for obtaining a Master’s degree in athletic training. In taking the prerequisites, he will earn his second minor in sports psychology from Northwestern.
Kincaid recognizes the advantages of his Northwestern experience.
“Coach Lancaster has made a tremendous impact on my life at Northwestern. She cares. She encourages. I feel she gives her best. And she expects her athletes to give their best.
The drive to do his best also showed itself in his collegiate academic career. Kincaid particularly recalls the discipline required in his zoology class.
“The discipline it took to absorb all of the information in Dr. Place’s class was critical for success.
According to Kincaid, Northwestern provided him with the resources to study without the worry of debt. Academic and athletic scholarships, combined with Oklahoma’s Promise scholarship, allowed Kincaid to graduate from Northwestern debt-free.
“I have been fortunate to have so many encouraging people in my life. Northwestern has provided many of these individuals. At the same time, I know I have to rely on myself to be successful. I feel like I’m ready for the next adventure.
