Diarmuid O'Connor (UConn); Laura Nicholson (Toledo)
Last weekend's U.S. collegiate conference championships saw a strong contingent of Irish athletes competing at a high level across various events. A total of 20 Irish athletes produced significant performances across 10 different conferences, 13 personal best performances were recorded. These athletes continue to make their mark on the American track and field circuit, from record-breaking achievements to podium finishes.
Men’s Highlights
Diarmuid O’Connor (UConn) - Big East Heptathlon Champion & Irish Record Holder
It was a championship to remember for Diarmuid O’Connor, who not only secured the Big East Heptathlon title with a personal-best score of 5594 points, setting a new Irish record in the process. His stellar performance included personal bests in the 60m - 7.07 , pole vault - 4.54m, and 1000m - 2:39.01. This remarkable achievement cements his status as one of Ireland’s brightest multi-event talents in generations
Cormac Dixon (Providence) - 3000m Finalist & Relay Success
Freshman Cormac Dixon delivered a strong showing in the 3000m at the Big East Championships, clocking 8:07.09 for a fourth-place finish. He also played a crucial role in his team’s third-place finish in the Distance Medley Relay (9:47.18), showcasing his versatility and endurance.
Sean Donoghue (Villanova) - 800m Finalist (Personal Best)
A new personal best of 1:50.96 in the heats saw Donoghue through to the Big East final, where he ultimately placed eighth. The junior continues to improve and will look to build on this experience moving forward.
Kyran Maher (New Hampshire) - Pole Vault Silver Medalist
Maher secured a second-place finish in the America East Championships pole vault with a clearance of 4.73m, further establishing himself as a top contender in the event.
Finn Boyle (Cornell) - Ivy League 800m Finalist
Boyle posted a solid 1:52.82 to finish sixth in the Ivy League Championships 800m final, having run a faster 1:51.64 in the heats.
James Ezeonu (Kansas State) - 60m Hurdles Personal Best
Ezeonu finished 14th in the Big 12 Championships 60m Hurdles, but he recorded a personal best of 8.04 in the process.
Killian Fahy (North Carolina) - 400m Personal Best
Fahy placed 13th in the ACC Championships 400m prelims with a personal best of 47.49. He also contributed to his team’s 5th place finish in the 4x400m relay (3:11.95).
Shane Moran (Wingate) - Mile Personal Best
Moran finished 5th in the South Atlantic Championships mile, clocking a personal best of 4:12.11.
Women’s Highlights
Laura Nicholson (Toledo) - Triple MAC Champion & 800m Personal Best
Nicholson was undoubtedly one of the weekend's standout performers, securing an incredible three gold medals at the Mid-American Conference Championships. She won the 800m (2:06.75 Personal Best), the mile (4:43.58), and the 3000m (9:29.38), demonstrating her exceptional range and dominance.
Lucy May Sleeman (Florida State) - ACC 60m Finalist (Personal Best)
Sleeman blazed through the 60m preliminaries in a personal-best 7.27 to qualify in third before finishing third in the ACC final with a time of 7.32. A promising performance from the freshman.
Lauren Roy (Tarleton State) - WAC 200m Champion (Personal Best)
Roy showed her speed and determination to win the WAC 200m final, clocking a personal best of 23.54. She also finished fourth in the 60m with another personal best 7.41, capping off an impressive meet.
Anika Thompson (Oregon) - Big Ten Distance Contender
Thompson secured fourth place in the 3000m (9:11.65) and followed it up with a strong third-place finish in the 5000m (15:59.06) at the Big Ten Championships. Her consistency continues to make her a top performer at this level.
Maeve O’Neill (Providence) - Big East 800m Medalist
O’Neill ran a solid 2:06.61 to take third in the Big East 800m final and helped her team to a runner-up finish in the 4x800m relay (8:48.65).
Sarah Hosey (Tulsa) - 800m Personal Best & Podium Finish
Hosey clocked a personal best of 2:09.04 to take third in The American Championships 800m final.
Adeyemi Talabi (UT Arlington) - 60m Personal Best
Talabi ran a personal best of 7.41 in the WAC 60m preliminaries before finishing 5th in the final with a 7.44.
Eimear McCarroll (Bradley) - 800m Personal Best
McCarroll clocked 2:12.68 in the MVC Championships 800m preliminaries, recording a personal best.
Ailish Hawkins (UCLA) - 5000m Personal Best
Hawkins finished 21st in the Big Ten Championships 5000m but recorded a personal best of 16:51.18.
Roisin Treacy (Loyola) - 2nd in A-10 Championships 3000m (9:45.60).
