FHSU Athletics
Ryan Prickett, Sports Information Director
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – In his first race beyond his collegiate competition days at Fort Hays State, Decano Cronin hit a European Championships “A” Standard in the 800 meters at the Music City Distance Carnival on Saturday night. He ran a time of 1:46.67, going 0.7 seconds better than his quickest effort at Fort Hays State over the last two years.
Cronin’s best effort at Fort Hays State happened the previous week at the NCAA Division II Outdoor Championships, where he ran a time of 1:47.37 to set a new FHSU record. It was the final collegiate race of his career, finishing as a three-time All-American for the Tigers in the 800 meters. He was the 2017 national champion in the event for the outdoor season, and then finished as national runner-up in both the indoor and outdoor seasons this year.
The European Championships entry standard is 1:47.60 in the 800 meters. The “A” Standard in Ireland is 1:47.10 and the “B” standard is the standard for the European Championships. Currently, no other athlete from Ireland has reached the A or B standard. Cronin has to place in the top three at the Irish Championships to compete at the European Championships.
Cronin’s time ranks him 73rd on the world performance list and 18th on the European performance list. He now ranks first in Ireland by 1.19 seconds.