2021 News from the USA

October, 2021, USA

Peter Lynch (KCH) and Shay McEvoy (KCH) were in action at the weekend at the prestigious Nuttycombe Invitational. Competing for Tulsa University, who are currently ranked 12^th in the NCAA division 1 the Kilkenny boys had a good season opener, in advance of the NCAA qualification series. In a race with over 200 competitors, Peter Lynch finished as third scorer for Tulsa in 23^rd place with Say in 43^rd and the 4^th scorer. This sees a considerable improvement by McEvoy as he enters his second year as a Tulsa scholarship student.

On a different note, Aoibhe Richardson (KCH) looks set to remain in the USA for a little longer. The University of San Francisco graduate has just signed a deal with Atalanta NYC a new professional running group formed by American athlete Mary Cain. Cain gained prominence as a teen sensation who signed a deal with Nike when she finished high school. She then went on to report on the alleged emotional and physical abuse by her coaches at Nike. Cain’s professional running team Atalanta will be different to other pro running groups as it will be a not for profit organization, where the runners will train as elite athletes in the morning and mentor girls in under privileged areas of New York city in the afternoons. The programme will focus on community, education and movement. This is a unique and magnificent opportunity for Richardson who was part of the silver medal winning Irish team at the European Cross Country in 2019. One that Richardson can perhaps repeat on home soil for 2021 in Dublin.