FAIRFAX, Va. – George Mason University rising sophomore Siobhra O'Flaherty will represent her home country of Ireland during the European U23 Championships July 12 in Galve, Sweden.
 
It marks the second time O'Flaherty has competed for the Emerald Isle on the global stage, having raced in Eurocross in late 2018. At July's U23 Championships, she will compete in the 10000-meter run.
 
"Distance running in Ireland is so popular from a very early age, so making a national team is a goal of almost every young Irish runner," Mason assistant coach Tony Mihalich said. "For Siobhra to pull on the vest twice since she has enrolled at Mason shows that she is in a really good spot in her career, and representing her country is an opportunity I know she doesn't take for granted. We are proud of her and excited to see what she does in Sweden."
 
O'Flaherty recently wrapped up an outstanding freshman campaign for the Patriots. An Atlantic 10 All-Rookie selection in cross country, O'Flaherty earned all-conference accolades at the A-10 Championship and also led the Patriots with a top-30 finish at the NCAA Southeast Regional.
 
On the track, O'Flaherty scored in the 5000m run during the A-10 Indoor Championship, finishing seventh (17:07.87). She then went on to garner bronze medalist honors in the 10000m during the A-10 Outdoor Championship (35:19.83), helping Mason claim the league title in Amherst, Mass.