Offaly club athlete wins prestigious national title in USA
The 3,000 metre steeplechase winner was one of a golden generation at Tullamore Harriers
A MEMBER of an Offaly athletics club has achieved one of the biggest successes of a developing career by winning a big national title in the USA.
Ava O'Connor, a graduate of the phenomenally successful juvenile section at Tullamore Harriers, won her first national title in the USA when she raced to a very impressive victory in the 3000 metres steeplechase at the NCAA Division 2 Outdoor Track and Field Championships.
A native of Emo in Laois, O'Connor was one of several exceptional athletes who progressed up from juvenile ranks in Tullamore Harriers in the past decade plus, winning national titles and achieving international recognition.
One of a few who got athletics scholarships in the USA, going to Adams State University in Colorado, O'Connor has had an excellent season to date over a variety of distances from 1500 metres to 5,000 metres.
She ran a super race on Friday, posting a very good winning time of 10.11.14. The time is impressive on its own merits but is all the more noteworthy as she ran from the front the whole way at an energy sapping altitude of 1,477 metres at Pueblo, Colorado.