Conor Kelly Set for US Debut as the College Indoor Season Gathers Pace this Weekend

The US collegiate indoor season properly kicks into gear this weekend, with Irish athletes spread across multiple high profile meets from Texas to Massachusetts. With several start lists already confirmed and more still to drop, it is shaping up to be one of the busiest January weekends of the year for Irish athletes based in the US collegiate system.

Corky Classic

Lubbock, Texas | Friday January 16th and Saturday January 17th

Two Irish athletes with international experience are listed for action at the Corky Classic, hosted in Texas over two days.

Conor Kelly of the University of Texas makes his US indoor debut in individual competition, lining up in the men’s 300 metres on Friday before returning on Saturday as part of the 4 x 400 metres relay squad. Kelly arrives off the back of a standout 2025 outdoor campaign, highlighted by European Under 20 gold over 400 metres in Finland.

Lauren Roy represents Tarleton State University, contesting the women’s 60 metres on Friday and joining her relay teammates in the 4 x 400 metres on Saturday.

Thane Baker Invitational

Manhattan, Kansas | Friday January 17th

Sarah Hosey is entered in the women’s 1000 metres. The Limerick native represents Tulsa. 

Jimmy Carnes Invitational

Gainesville, Florida | Friday January 17th

Florida State University fields two Irish athletes at the Jimmy Carnes Invitational.

Nicola Dinan is listed for the women’s 3000 metres and Mile, while Lucy May Sleeman takes to the track in the women’s 60 metres, continuing her early indoor speed work.

Hoosier Horsepower Classic

Indianapolis, Indiana | Saturday January 17th 

Irish representation here comes from two Irish athletes. Roisin Treacy, the Wicklow athlete competing in the women’s mile for Loyola University Chicago as she opens her indoor campaign. Freshman Irish high jumper Siún Quinn is also in action, representing Illinois. 

Beantown Challenge

Cambridge, Massachusetts | Saturday January 17th 

One of the largest Irish contingents of the weekend is set for the Beantown Challenge, hosted by Harvard University.

In the men’s 60 metres hurdles, Diarmuid O'Connor represents the University of Connecticut.

Providence College fields a notably strong Irish group. Gemma Galvin is entered in the women’s mile, with Cara Laverty and Maeve O'Neill are both listed for the women’s 1000 metres. 

Over the women's 3000 metres, Anna Gardiner and Niamh O'Mahony continue Providence’s heavy Irish presence.

Elsewhere on the track, Claire Crowley of Boston College competes in the women’s 600 metres.

Finally, Dubliner Conall Rogers lines up for Northeastern University in the men’s 1000 metres and is also named on the 4 x 400 yards relay squad. 

University of Washington Indoor Preview

Seattle, Washington | Saturday January 17th

Further Irish interest comes from the Pacific Northwest, with two athletes listed for the Washington Indoor Preview in Seattle.

Mark Milner is entered in the men’s mile, representing University of Portland, as he continues his indoor season progression.

Also on the start list is Oisin Spillane, who is down to contest the men’s 3000 metres in the B section. Spillane competes for Saint Mary’s University, with the B section designation simply reflecting heat placement rather than ability or intent at this early point of the season.

Quaker Invitational 

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Saturday January 17th

Charlie O'Donovan and Jack Fenlon are both in action for Villanova, on the start list for the men's 3000m and one mile respectively. 

With other events still to publish full start lists, more Irish names are expected to emerge as the weekend approaches. Even at this early stage of the indoor season, the spread of Irish athletes across the US collegiate system underlines the scale of involvement and sets the tone for the months ahead.

Will any of the action be streamed?

Yes. The Beantown Challenge and the Corky Classic are both set to be streamed via ESPN+.

The platform is only available to viewers located in the United States. If you are based there, you can take out a subscription and watch live coverage

Image: University of Texas