California to Carolina: Irish Athletes In Action Across The U.S. This Weekend

The U.S. collegiate outdoor season rolls on again this weekend with Irish athletes spread right across the country, stepping into everything from decathlon battles in California to stacked distance fields on the West Coast and sprint action deep in Texas.

It’s a busy with Irish names popping up at nearly every level of NCAA and NAIA competition.

Here’s what’s on deck this week:

Mt. SAC Relays Combined Events
Walnut, California | Wednesday April 15th – Thursday April 16th

We already have our first result of the week in from California, where Diarmuid O’Connor of the University of Connecticut put together a strong decathlon performance to finish 10th overall with 7,578 points.

His performance was highlighted by a second-place finish in the shot put with a mark of 14.64 metres, while he also closed out his competition strongly with another second-place finish in the 1500m, clocking 4:23.42.

⚡ Results

Wake Forest Invitational
Winston-Salem, North Carolina | Thursday April 16th – Friday April 17th

A strong Irish contingent lines up here across distance and middle distance events. Noah Harris of the University of Tennessee headlines the 5000m, joined by Grace Richardson and Montreat College athlete Heather Murphy in the women’s race.

Over 800m, Conall Rogers of Northeastern University and Nathan Cremin of Montreat College take to the track, while Emer McGlynn represents Catawba College in the 1500m

⚡ Results

Bryan Clay Invitational
Azusa, California | Thursday April 16th – Saturday April 18th

As always, the Bryan Clay Invitational is stacked, and the Irish presence is no different this year.

On the track, Mark Milner of the University of Portland features over 1500m alongside a number of Irish entries, while Ryan McCarthy of McNeese State steps up to the 5000m.

The women’s 1500m sees a strong showing with Susie Nestor of Rice University, Sarah Hosey of the University of Tulsa, Eimear McCarroll of Bradley University, and Claire Crowley of Boston College all in action.

Distance events are equally busy, with Roisin Treacy representing Loyola University Chicago and Ailish Hawkins of UCLA over 5000m.

In the longer races, Abdel Laadjel of the University of Oregon, Dean Casey of the University of Colorado, and Shay McEvoy of the University of Tulsa take on the 10000m, while Claragh Keane represents Adams State University in the women’s equivalent.

Non-collegiate athletes Ronan McMahon-Staggs and Oisín Ó Gailín are in 1500m action also.

⚡ Results

Joe Gillespie Invitational
Clarksville, Tennessee | Friday April 17th – Saturday April 18th

Sprint action here sees Lauren Roy of Tarleton State University line up over both the 100m and 200m as she continues her outdoor season campaign.

⚡ Results

Paul Donahue Invite
Chester, Pennsylvania | Friday April 17th – Saturday April 18th

A University of Pennsylvania double here, with Charlie O’Donovan lining up in the mile and David Davitt taking on the 400m.

⚡ Results

Tom Tellez Invitational
Houston, Texas | Friday April 17th – Saturday April 18th

Sprint action in Texas sees Sean Aigboboh of the University of Houston continue his outdoor campaign over 200m.

⚡ Results

Tom Jones Memorial Invitational
Gainesville, Florida | Friday April 17th – Saturday April 18th

A mix of sprint and field events here, with Conor Kelly of the University of Texas doubling up in the 200m and 400m.

In the field, Elizabeth Ndudi represents the University of Illinois in the long jump, while Daire Mahon of Harvard University lines up in the high jump.

Irish national record holder and now US based Israel Olatunde opens his outdoor season in the 100m. 

⚡ Results

Oregon Team Invitational
Eugene, Oregon | Friday April 17th – Saturday April 18th

At Hayward Field, James Ezeonu of Kansas State University is set for sprint duty, contesting both the 100m and 200m.

⚡ Results

Jim Mize Invitational
Ruston, Louisiana | Friday April 17th

A busy schedule awaits Danny Hagan, representing the University of Louisiana Monroe, as he competes across multiple disciplines including the 200m, 110m hurdles, high jump, and shot put.

⚡ Results

UConn Northeast Invitational
Storrs, Connecticut | Friday April 17th – Saturday April 18th

Middle distance action here sees Emmy Thornton of Dartmouth College line up over 800m.

⚡ Results

Mt. SAC Relays
Walnut, California | Saturday April 18th

Back in California, the main Mt. SAC programme features Victoria Amiadamen of Texas State University in the 400m hurdles, alongside Aoife Hernon of UC Irvine over 400m.

⚡ Results

Jim Kavanagh Legacy Invitational
Georgetown, Kentucky | Saturday April 18th

Rounding out the weekend, Liam Lyons of Holy Cross lines up over 1500m, while Niamh O’Mahony represents Providence College in the 5000m.

⚡ Results

Plenty going on right across the States this weekend, with Irish athletes spread from coast to coast and covering just about every discipline going.

Image: Montreat Track