Irish middle-distance runner Sophie O'Sullivan has secured a US athletics scholarship at the University of Washington, in Seattle.
O’Sullivan, who was born and raised in Australia, has represented both Ireland and Australia at underage level.
The 18-year-old’s talent is undeniable and her pedigree is underlined by claiming both the the Irish U17 title over 1500m as well as the Australian U17 titles over 800m and 1500m.
In 2018, O’Sullivan made her mark on the international stage where she represented Ireland at the European U18 Championships in Hungary, and won silver in the 800m.
The University of Washington, nicknamed the Huskies, announced that the teenager has been included in their track and field programme.
The European U18 silver medallist is following the same path as her mother, Sonia O’Sullivan, as she makes the move stateside.
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Sonia O’Sullivan was a 10-time Big East champion and three-time NCAA champion. She led Villanova to three straight national titles in cross-country from 1989 to 1991, where she was the NCAA individual champion in 1990 and 1991.
Sophie O’Sullivan is undoubtedly paving her own path in the sport of athletics as she joins an exciting set up in Washngton. The Washington Track & Field announced the news of their 11 new signings overnight, with an accompanying statement detailing O’Sullivan’s rise.
“Sophie O’Sullivan becomes the third Husky to commit from Australia in the past two years, joining current UW freshmen Mel Smart and Carley Thomas,” it reads.
“O’Sullivan is the first from Melbourne, where she has become a mid-distance standout, winning the 2019 Australian U20 Championship at 800-meters.
“O’Sullivan’s mother, Sonia, was a World Champion for Ireland and the 2000 Olympic Games silver medallist in the 5,000-meters.”
