GÄVLE, Sweden - Eilish Flanagan made history for Adams State University and home country of Ireland running to a silver medal finish in the steeplechase, at the European U23 Championships. The race was also Flanagan's new personal best in the event as she finished with a time of 9:51.72.

The race was fast from the start, with Flanagan slowly working her way through the field as the race unfolded. After a few laps the field began to string out, and she had worked her way from tenth to sixth, to fifth, then to fourth. She would go back and forth from fourth to fifth throughout the middle portion of the race, coming through the kilometer at a time of 3:11, and the mile at 5:08.

The final laps proved to be the difference maker for Flanagan. "The last two laps, I thought about settling. I was going to be over the moon with a top five position, but I thought 'I came here, why not do my country and everybody proud by getting a medal.' I dug in deep, and it paid off."

Over the course of the final two laps, Flanagan moved up again from fourth into third. With less than 200 meters to go, she cleared the final water barrier and moved into second. She crossed the finish line with arms raised, overwhelmed with elation and pride. 

"I can't get over it, honestly… [I'm] absolutely delighted." She said following the conclusion of the race.

Flanagan became the only Irish woman to ever medal in the steeplechase at an international championship, as well as the first Adams State woman to do so. Her time of 9:51.72 ranks her the second fastest steeplechaser in Adams State history, third fastest in NCAA Division II history, and eighth fastest in the history of Irish Track & Field.
 
Full results can be found here:https://www.european-athletics.org/competitions/european-athletics-U23-championships/history/year=2019/results/index.html