The NCAA cross country season continues this afternoon, with several Irish athletes preparing for one of the biggest meetings on the American collegiate calendar.
The Nuttycombe Wisconsin Invitational in Madison brings together some of the leading universities in the United States, with Irish interest at Providence College, Ole Miss and potentially Wisconsin and Tennessee. There is also Irish representation at the New England Championships in New Hampshire.
Here is a look at the Irish athletes involved, their recent performances and how to follow the action.
Nuttycombe Wisconsin Invitational
Anna Gardiner and Cormac Dixon are among the leading runners representing Providence College at the Thomas Zimmer Championship Cross Country Course.
Gardiner, a member of East Down AC, enters the meeting following an impressive performance at the Princeton Meadows Challenge on September 26th.
The Downpatrick athlete finished 12th in the women's 6km in 20:09.7, helping the Friars secure third place in the team standings. Providence's women are currently ranked 24th nationally.
Gardiner is expected to compete in the women's championship 6km, beginning at 4:30pm Irish time.
Dublin athlete Dixon, who represents Tallaght AC at home, will lead the Providence men's challenge over 8km.
The junior was the university's leading finisher at the Princeton Meadows Challenge, placing 37th in 23:53.2. He also finished third at the Friar Invitational in September, recording 18:10.9 over 6km.
The men's championship 8km begins at 5:10pm Irish time.
Seán Donoghue, representing Dublin City Harriers AC, is another confirmed Irish participant, competing for the University of Mississippi, commonly known as Ole Miss.
Donoghue competed at the Gans Creek Classic on September 25th, finishing 179th in the men's 8km in 25:01.3 as Ole Miss secured fifth place overall.
He has been named in the university's men's B race squad for Friday, with his race scheduled to begin at 6:30pm Irish time.
Two further Irish athletes could feature in Madison, although their individual participation has yet to be confirmed.
Cillian Gleeson, of Celbridge AC, represents the host university, Wisconsin. He finished 82nd at the Sean Earl Lakefront Invitational on September 25th, clocking a personal best of 23:49.88 over 8km.
Meanwhile, Noah Harris, of Parnell AC, is part of the Tennessee squad. The Wicklow athlete recorded 24:22.4 at the Gans Creek Classic, finishing 108th.
Both universities are competing at Nuttycombe, but their final individual selections remain to be confirmed.
Nuttycombe Start Lists and Live Results
New England Championships
Eimear Cooney, of Ace Athletics Club in County Louth, completes the confirmed Irish interest on Friday, having been selected to represent Boston College at the New England Championships.
The meeting takes place at the Hopkinton Fairgrounds Cross Country Course in New Hampshire, with the women's 6km scheduled for 7:45pm Irish time.
Cooney is among nine athletes named in the Boston College squad as the university seeks its first title at the championships since 2021.
The Drogheda athlete, who is in her first year at Boston College, enjoyed an impressive junior career in Ireland before making the move to the United States.
Boston College enters the meeting ranked second in the Northeast Region, behind Providence, and will be hoping for another strong team performance.
New England Championships Live Results
With Irish athletes involved in two meetings, Friday promises another busy afternoon and evening of collegiate cross country action.
All race times above are Irish time, and individual entries remain subject to change before the start.
Image: University of Tennessee
