O'Connor Places Ninth at National Meet, Sets New School Record

By: Margaret Anderson, UMW Sports Information

Montana Western senior Eireann O'Connor made her mark at the 2022 NAIA Indoor Track & Field National Championship. She qualified for the first time in her career in the 3,000-meter race.

O'Connor qualified for the national meet with her 3,000-meter time at the Polar Vortex Classic in late February; she recorded a time of 10:26.29, over three seconds faster than the qualifying time.

In the prelims at nationals, O'Connor placed fifth in her heat and 10th overall with a time of 10:18.25, both a personal best and a school record for the 3,000-meter. She advanced to the finals and smashed her time with another school record of 10:12.99 and an overall ninth-place finish. O'Connor reset the school record for the women's 3,000 with her final finish.