The US collegiate cross country season moved into its second weekend this past Friday and Saturday, with Irish athletes competing across five meetings.
From runners beginning their campaigns in new colours to returning athletes taking on their first team tests of the autumn, here is how each athlete got on and what their performance meant for their university in the team standings.
Keane Helps Adams State Complete Perfect Score
Claragh Keane produced the leading Irish performance of the weekend at the Joe I. Vigil Open in Alamosa, Colorado, on Saturday, September 12th.
The DMP AC athlete finished third overall in the women's 5km in 17:52.5. The runner immediately ahead of her was competing unattached, making Keane the second collegiate finisher and the second Adams State University runner across the line.
Keane contributed two points to an emphatic Adams State victory. With the university's athletes filling the first five collegiate positions, Adams State recorded the lowest possible team score of 15 points and finished 35 clear of CSU Pueblo.
Full Joe I. Vigil Open Results
Nugent Leads Lenoir-Rhyne as Bradley Scores for Queens
Danny Nugent led the Lenoir-Rhyne University men at the Queen City Invite in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Friday, September 11th.
The Ace AC athlete completed the men's 8km in 25:09.7 to finish eighth. He was the first Lenoir-Rhyne runner home and supplied the team's lowest individual score as the university placed fifth with 154 points.
Sarah Bradley counted among the five scorers for the Queens University of Charlotte women. The Finn Valley AC athlete finished 76th in the women's 5km in 20:16.4 and was the fifth Queens runner across the line.
Queens also secured fifth place in the team standings, recording 205 points.
Full Queen City Invite Results
Nestor Finishes 11th as Rice Women Win at Home
Susie Nestor placed 11th in the women's 4km at the Rice Invitational in Houston, Texas, on Friday, September 11th.
The UCD AC athlete recorded 15:26.1 and was the sixth Rice University runner home, placing her just outside the five athletes whose positions counted towards the team score.
