* Ellie Shea lines up for the indoor mile at New Balance Nationals Indoor
Photo Credit: Cara Mooney/MileSplit
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Ellie Shea has been known to push through barriers en route to all-time marks.
Last year, however, she faced a minor hiccup.
At the 2022 USATF U20 Championships, the Emerging Elite (MA) runner stepped on to the track with hopes of qualifying for her first USA team in the 5K.
Unfortunately, she had to step off the track after the 3,000 meter mark and was unable to qualify for the World U20 Championships in Cali, Colombia.
But a few months later, Shea was able to bounce back and lead the U.S. women's cross country team to a third-place finish in Bathurst, Australia for the World U20 Championships. On the 6K course, Shea finished as the 10th-fastest competitor as she ran across the finish line in 21:48.
"I was really able to step outside my comfort zone and race incredible runners who are from all around the world," Shea told MileSplit during the indoor season. "They showed me where this sport can go and I'm really grateful for that."
Next week, the talented distance runner from Massachusetts will have another opportunity to qualify for a U.S. team.
This time, however, Shea will have a bigger load.
The rising senior declared to run the 1,500m during the USA Outdoor Championships with hopes of qualifying for the World U23 NACAC Championships in San Jose, Costa Rica from July 21-23.
She'll also toe the line in the 3K, 5K and will have her career debut in the 3K steeplechase during the USA U20 Championships, also set for July 6-9 in Eugene, Oregon. Her performances there could book her a ticket to the Pan American U20 Championships in August.
That will total 12,500m meters in three days.
Shea has plans to run against juniors and professional competition.
"Every time I step on the track, I'm going for a personal record," Shea told MileSplit after running the No. 2 all-time 5K performance at New Balance Nationals Indoor. "I just want to see myself continue to improve and it's definitely really reassuring that I'm ahead of where I was last year. I'm going to keep building on this momentum into the outdoor season."
Shea is the only athlete taking on the feat of competing in four events.
| DATE | EVENT | TIME |
| Friday, July 7 | U20 5K Final | 4:39 pm PST |
| Saturday, July 8 | U20 3K Steeplechase Final | 11:09 am PST |
| Saturday, July 8 | 1,500m Final | 6:34 pm PST |
| Sunday, July 9 | U20 3K Final | 4:08 pm PST |
* Ellie Shea competes in the two mile at the 2022 Brooks PR Invitational
Photo Credit: Jamie Mitchell / MileSplit
Related Links:
American U20 Teams Capture Bronze At World XC Championships
Three Days And Three Big Efforts From Ellie Shea
