Macchia, a junior from New York, follows freshman year victory in San Diego with title in Virginia, reconnecting with Zealand and Shea on U.S. lineup to compete in Serbia; Sanchez prevails with impressive performance in return to cross country

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

MECHANICSVILLE, Va. – Zariel Macchia still has another season of eligibility available in high school cross country and yet, the William Floyd High junior has already accumulated one of the best resumes in U.S. Under-20 history.

The New York prep standout became only the third female athlete all-time to win multiple USATF U20 Cross Country Championships, including the first since Jordan Hasay in 2007-08, covering the 6-kilometer layout at Pole Green Park in 20 minutes, 31 seconds to edge Virginia star Allie Zealand of Pacers Homeschool in 20:31.9.

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Macchia also prevailed as a freshman in 2022 in San Diego, then took third last year at Pole Green Park in 20:04.7. Aileen O’Connor, who triumphed in 1976 and 1978, is the only other two-time women’s U20 cross country champion in meet history.

Kevin Sanchez, a freshman at Notre Dame who did not race during the fall cross country season, prevailed in the men’s U20 8-kilometer final in 24:07.1.

Macchia, Zealand and sixth-place women’s finisher Ellie Shea from Belmont, Mass. (20:53.3) were all members of the U.S. lineup that earned a team bronze medal last year at the World Athletics U20 Cross Country Championships in Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia.

Their veteran experience could propel the U.S. to another medal March 30 at the World Athletics U20 Cross Country Championships in Belgrade, Serbia.

Kole Mathison, a Colorado freshman, was the only returning member of the American men’s lineup that also captured bronze last year at the World Athletics U20 Cross Country Championships in Australia.

Following a seventh-place finish last year at Pole Green Park, Mathison placed second Saturday behind Sanchez in 24:18.4.

Sanchez and Mathison are expected to be joined on the U.S. roster March 30 in Serbia by third-place finisher Noah Breker of North Carolina (24:21.0), fourth-place competitor Aidan Jones from Minnesota (24:23.3), fifth-place athlete Birhanu Harriman of Georgetown (24:24.8) and sixth-place performer Berkley Nance, a senior at Mills Godwin High in Virginia who clocked 24:25.7.

Matthew Donis, a freshman at California Community College Athletic Association state champion Mt. San Antonio College, secured seventh in 24:35.2 and could be added to the U.S. roster at a later date.

North Carolina State freshman Jolena Quarzo is the only collegiate competitor on the women’s U20 roster, taking third in 20:44.0.

Mary Bonner Dalton, a Notre Dame commit from Myers Park High in North Carolina, finished fourth in 20:46.7 and North Carolina-bound Maddie Gardiner of The Covenant School placed fifth in 20:48.2, joining Nance and Zealand among Virginia prep competitors eligible to represent the U.S. in Serbia.

Virginia freshman Gillian Bushee secured seventh in 21:01.7 and could be a late addition to the American lineup.