Conference Championships And Twilight Meets Await Irish NCAA Athletes This Weekend

The NCAA season rolls on this weekend with a smaller contingent of Irish athletes in action across the United States, though there is still plenty on the line as conference championships begin to ramp up and athletes chase late season qualifying marks before the outdoor campaign reaches full boil.

The biggest focus this weekend comes at the NCAA Division I conference championships, with Irish athletes set to compete in both the America East Conference Championships in Massachusetts and the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championships in Maryland. Elsewhere, Irish athletes will also line out in California, Oregon, Illinois, Arkansas and Kansas across a series of twilight and last chance meets.

NCAA DIV I Track & Field Conference Championships: America East Conference

Cushing Field Complex, Lowell, Massachusetts
Saturday May 9th – Sunday May 10th

Pole vaulter Una Brice will compete on home turf for UMass Lowell as the America East Conference Championships get underway in Lowell, Massachusetts. Brice is entered in the women’s pole vault for the hosts.

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NCAA DIV I Track & Field Conference Championships: Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC)

Morgan Track, Emmitsburg, Maryland
Saturday May 9th – Sunday May 10th

Iona University will have a strong Irish presence at the MAAC Championships in Maryland this weekend, particularly across the distance events.

Sean Lawton is scheduled to double up in both the men’s 5000m and men’s 10000m for Iona University, while fellow Iona athlete Scott Fagan is also entered in both distance races.

On the women’s side, Muireann Duffy will represent Iona University in the women’s 10000m, while Laura McConville lines out for Mount St. Mary’s University in the same event.

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Franson Last Chance

Azusa Pacific University, Azusa, California
Thursday May 7th – Saturday May 9th

Several Irish athletes are entered for the Franson Last Chance meet in California, traditionally one of the final opportunities of the season to chase qualifying marks.

Representing UCLA Ailish Hawkins is entered in the women’s 1500m representing UCLA, while Claragh Keane will race the women’s 5000m for Adams State University.

Meanwhile, Rónán McMahon-Staggs will compete in the men’s 800m.

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West Point Twilight 

West Point, New York
Thursday May 7th

Hammer thrower Margaret Hayden will compete for Harvard University at the West Point Twilight meet in New York.

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Oregon Twilight 

Hayward Field, Eugene, Oregon
Friday May 8th

One of the most iconic venues in collegiate athletics hosts another Irish contingent this weekend as Hayward Field welcomes the Oregon Twilight meet.

Oisín Spillane of St. Mary’s College (Cal) is entered in the men’s 3000m steeplechase, while Maddie Mooney will race the women’s 1500m for the University of Oregon.

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Illini Tune Up 

Champaign, Illinois
Friday May 8th

The University of Illinois duo of Siún Quinn and Elizabeth Ndudi are both set for action at the Illini Tune Up.

Quinn will compete in the women’s high jump, while Ndudi is entered in the women’s long jump.

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Arkansas Twilight

Fayetteville, Arkansas
Friday May 8th

Middle distance athlete Sarah Hosey is scheduled to represent the University of Tulsa in the women’s 1500m at the Arkansas Twilight meet in Fayetteville.

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Ward Haylett Invitational

Manhattan, Kansas
Friday May 8th

Sprinter James Ezeonu will line out for Kansas State University in both the men’s 100m and men’s 200m at the Ward Haylett Invitational.

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Portland Twilight 

Portland, Oregon
Saturday May 9th

Two Irish athletes are entered for the Portland Twilight meet this weekend.

Mark Milner of the University of Portland is set for the men’s 1500m, while fellow Irish athlete Oisín Spillane returns to action in the men’s 800m representing St. Mary’s College (Cal).

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As the collegiate season edges closer towards championship time, opportunities to secure qualifying marks and sharpen form are becoming increasingly important. While this weekend may be quieter than last weekend's packed schedule, there are still plenty of Irish athletes with strong races and potentially big performances on the cards across the United States