Following 10th-place performance to help U.S. earn bronze last year in Australia, Shea takes 15th and Zealand earns 16th to guide American women’s lineup; Sanchez secures 24th and Mathison takes 30th for U.S. men’s team

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

Following a memorable showcase last year to earn a pair of bronze medals, the United States Under-20 lineups were unable to match those achievements Saturday at the World Athletics Cross Country Championships at the Park of Friendship in Belgrade, Serbia.

Ethiopia won its fifth consecutive women’s U20 gold medal with 12 points, matching the longest streak in meet history held by Kenya from 1993-97.

Kenya secured silver Saturday with 28 points and Uganda took bronze with 48 points, followed by the Americans at 88 points.

Kenya repeated as men’s team champions with 15 points, as Ethiopia achieved silver with 21 points and Uganda grabbed bronze with 52 points.

The U.S. secured seventh with 153 points, also trailing Japan, South Africa and Morocco.

Ethiopia swept the women’s U20 podium, with 15-year-old Marta Alemayo winning in 19:28, Asayech Ayichew earning silver at 19:32, with Robe Dida clocking 19:38 to take bronze.

Ellie Shea was the top competitor for the Americans, just like she was last year in Australia.

Shea covered the 6-kilometer course in 20:50 to finish 15th, after taking 10th in Bathurst.

Allie Zealand placed 16th in 21:08, Mary Bonner Dalton was 28th in 21:40, Zariel Macchia captured 29th in 21:42, Jolena Quarzo achieved 41st in 22:13 and Maddie Gardiner took 49th in 22:36.

Macchia and Zealand were also members of last year’s U.S. bronze medal roster.

Kenya’s Samuel Kibathi ran 22:40 in the men’s 8-kilometer competition to edge Ethiopia’s Mezgebu Sime in 22:41 for the individual gold medal. Matthew Kipkoech Kipruto of Kenya was the bronze medalist in 22:46.

Kevin Sanchez placed 24th in 24:31 and Kole Mathison finished 30th in 24:49 after placing 25th last year for the Americans in Australia.

Noah Breker captured 45th in 25:22, Aidan Jones ran 25:48 to take 54th and Birhanu Harriman clocked 26:13 to achieve 68th place. Berkley Nance, who was in the top 40 past the midway point for the Americans, was unable to finish.