JACKSONVILLE, FL – Three of Iona University's four representatives in the men's outdoor track program competed late Wednesday night and into the early hours of Thursday morning at the 2025 NCAA Division I Track and Field East First Round, after inclement weather caused delays throughout the day. The event, hosted by the University of North Florida at Hodges Stadium, saw sophomore Duncan Robinson advance to the quarterfinals of the 1,500-meter event, while seniors Lachlan Wellington and Tadhg Donnelly concluded their Iona careers in the 10,000-meter semifinal.

MEN'S 1,500-METER – FIRST ROUND

In his NCAA Championship debut, Robinson impressed with a time of 3:42.14 in the second heat, placing fifth and earning an automatic berth to Friday's quarterfinal round. His time ranked 19th overall among the 48 entries, with half the field advancing.
 
Virginia's Gary Martin led Robinson's heat in 3:40.52, while the fastest overall time was recorded by Michigan's Trent McFarland, who clocked in at 3:39.79.
 
Robinson qualified for the NCAA East First Round with a season-best 3:40.94 at the Princeton Elite Invitational two weeks ago. A standout performer in the MAAC this year, he earned silver medals in both the outdoor 1,500 and indoor mile, finishing runner-up to teammate Bradley Giblin in both events.
 
Robinson is set to compete for a spot at the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Oregon, during Friday's quarterfinal at 5:15 p.m.

MEN'S 10,000-METER – SEMIFINAL

Wellington and Donnelly concluded their collegiate careers in the 10,000-meter semifinal, finishing 28th and 33rd, respectively. Only the top 12 of the 48 entrants advanced to Eugene.
 
Wellington recorded a time of 29:50.78, while Donnelly crossed the line in 30:08.74.
 
Wellington qualified with a personal-best 28:41.60 at the Wake Forest Invitational. A consistent national-caliber performer, he made his fourth appearance in the NCAA 10,000-meter semifinal, previously competing in 2021, 2023, and 2024. He was also a two-time NCAA Cross Country Championship qualifier.
 
Over his decorated career, Wellington earned nine MAAC Championship medals, including gold in the 2024 and 2025 outdoor 10,000-meter, the 2025 indoor 5,000-meter, and the 2024 cross country championship. He medaled in each of his last eight MAAC Championship races. His 10k performance at Wake Forest ranks sixth all-time at Iona, while his personal bests in the indoor and outdoor 5k events both rank within the program's top 20. Wellington graduated with a BA in Media and Strategic Communication and an MA in Sports Communication and Media.
 
Donnelly made his NCAA East First Round debut this year after qualifying with a personal-best 28:40.89 at the Raleigh Relays, good for fifth-fastest in Iona history. He was a three-time MAAC medalist, earning gold in both the indoor 3,000 and 5,000 meters this season, and bronze in the 2023 outdoor 10,000. A two-time NCAA Cross Country Northeast Regional competitor, Donnelly leaves a legacy etched in the Iona record books: fourth-fastest indoor 1,500, top 15 in the indoor mile, top 25 in the indoor 3,000, sixth in the indoor 5,000, 11th in the outdoor 1,500, and sixth in the outdoor 3,000. He graduated this month with a degree in History.

UP NEXT

Robinson returns to the track Friday at 5:15 p.m. for the 1,500-meter quarterfinal, aiming to secure a place at the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Oregon, set for June 11 and 13. Teammate Bradley Giblin is also scheduled to race in the 5,000-meter semifinal at 8:10 p.m. Both events will be streamed live on ESPN+.

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