DCU trio selected on Irish Athletics team for upcoming European Indoor Championships

DCU students Nadia Power, Sophie Becker and Andrew Coscoran have been selected for the Irish Athletics Team competing in the upcoming European Indoor Athletics Championship in Torun, Poland, March 5-7. 

Power, a final year MINT (Marketing, Innovation and Technology) student has enjoyed a fantastic indoor season so far and will be aiming for a place in this year’s 800 metres Indoor final after a string of personal bests and national record performances at the recent World Athletics Indoor Tour. The Dublin City Harrier club woman has posted a 2:00.98 finish this season and is ranked 7th in Europe, 10th in the world and is currently inside the World Athletics Quota ranking system for Olympic Qualification. 

Andrew Coscoran ran a lifetime best over 1500m at the World Indoor Tour meeting in Lievin in France this month; finishing fifth in a world class field. The final year Education and Training Student ran 3:37.20 which placed him fifth on the Irish all-time list behind Marcus O’Sullivan and Eamon Coughlan. The Dubliner is also inside the quota for Olympic qualification.

Sophie Becker is also in superb form breaking her own personal best at the recent Athletics Ireland Elite Micro meeting on February 21st. She clocked 53.20 in the 400 metres and is currently the third fastest Irishwoman over this distance indoors. The Wexford athlete is the current National women’s 400m indoors and outdoors champion. 

Paul Byrne, Head of Athletics at DCU said, 

"I'm delighted for Nadia, Andrew and Sophie on their selections for European Indoors next week. All the hard work and dedication over the difficult number of months is coming to fruition. All three are sport scholarship athletes combining their academic and athletics ambitions to the highest levels. It has given everyone in DCU and DCU Athletics Club a huge boost to see them qualify and everyone is looking forward to watching them in action next week."

James Galvin, Director of DCU Sports and Wellbeing commented, 

"I want to congratulate Nadia, Sophie and Andrew on their wonderful accomplishment of qualifying for the forthcoming European Indoor Athletics Championships. We know the commitment to hard work and long hours, largely unseen, that is required to achieve their athletic goals. We are especially proud of the academic success of these DCU student-athletes and they are to be commended for their ambition and achievements.

A special mention to DCU Athletics coaches Joe Ryan and Daniel Kilgallon who coach athletes Cian McPhillips (800m), John Fitzsimons (800m) and Israel Olatunde (60m) who will also compete in Torun. DCU alumnus Paul Robinson (1500m) was also selected on the team. 

Pictured (l-r) Becker, Coscoran and Power in action