The US NCAA cross country season continues this weekend, with Irish athletes preparing for meetings in Texas, Indiana and New Jersey today.
With the championship races approaching, there is another opportunity for returning athletes and newer arrivals to test their form and strengthen their positions within their university teams.
Seven Irish Athletes Entered for Arturo Barrios Invitational
Seven Irish athletes are entered for the Arturo Barrios Invitational at the Dale Watts Cross Country Course in College Station, Texas, on Friday October 16th.
Diarmuid Moloney of Nenagh Olympic AC and Ryan McCarthy of Leevale AC represent McNeese State University in the men’s 8km. They are joined in the field by Colin P. Smith, who represents Arizona State University and Mullingar Harriers.
McNeese also has two Irish entries in the women’s 6km. Elsa Moore of Lifford Strabane AC and Maria Murnane of Killarney Valley AC will be looking to contribute to the university’s team performance.
Susie Nestor, representing Rice University and UCD AC, is entered in the same race, alongside Claragh Keane of Adams State University and DMP AC.
The meeting also gives Rice and McNeese a chance to race on the course that will host the NCAA South Central Regional Championships in November.
Men’s 8km - Friday October 16th - 2:15pm Irish time
Women’s 6km - Friday October 16th - 2:50pm Irish time
Arturo Barrios Invitational Entries
Arturo Barrios Invitational Live Results
Eight Irish Runners Set for Pre-Nationals
Eight Irish athletes are entered across three races at the Pre-National Invitational in Terre Haute, Indiana, on Friday October 16th.
The meeting takes place at the LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course, offering athletes an opportunity to race at the venue for November’s NCAA Division I Championships.
Nicole Dinan of Leevale AC represents Florida State University in the women’s Blue 6km. Muireann Duffy, representing Iona University and Clonmel AC, is entered in the same race.
Frank Buchanan of St Michael’s, Enniskillen, lines up for the University of Illinois in the men’s Blue 8km. Buchanan led Illinois at the Gans Creek Classic, finishing 27th in 23:25.9, and will look to build on that performance against another strong field.
Iona University has two Irish entries in the men’s Blue race, with Billy Coogan, originally Kilkenny City Harriers, joined by Sean Lawton of Durrus AC.
Scott Fagan, representing Loyola University Chicago and Metro/St Brigid’s AC, and Jack Fenlon, representing Villanova University and St Abban’s AC, complete the Irish group in that race.
Villanova team-mate Caolan McFadden of Cranford AC is entered in the later men’s White 8km.
Women’s Blue 6km - Friday October 16th - 3:00pm Irish time
Men’s Blue 8km - Friday October 16th - 3:40pm Irish time
Men’s White 8km - Friday October 16th - 5:00pm Irish time
Pre-National Invitational Entries and Live Results
Cooney and Cronin Head for Princeton
The day finishes up with further Irish interest at the Princeton Fall Classic in New Jersey.
Eimear Cooney of Ace AC is named in Boston College’s squad for the women’s 6km at Princeton’s Meadows Course. The Eagles are dividing their runners between Princeton and Pre-Nationals as they complete their regular-season programme.
Seán Cronin, representing La Salle University and Clonliffe Harriers, is entered in the men’s 8km later that evening.
Women’s 6km - Friday October 16th - 9:30pm Irish time
Men’s 8km - Friday October 16th - 10:00pm Irish time
Princeton Fall Classic Entries and Live Results
Image: Villanova Track Track/XC
