Ellie Shea Rising Fast in the NCAA Distance Running Scene

Young star making her presence felt in her first collegiate season

At just 18 years old, Ellie Shea is already being hailed as one of the most promising young talents in American distance running. The former high school standout from Massachusetts—who turned heads on the national and international stage as a junior—has now begun her collegiate journey at NC State, and early signs suggest she’s adjusting well to the higher level of competition.

In her freshman outdoor season in 2025, Shea has turned in solid performances that show steady progression. She clocked 4:35.63 for 1500m at the Raleigh Relays in March and followed that up with a 16:10.65 in the 5,000m at the Wake Forest Invitational in April. While these times aren’t personal bests, they reflect the foundation being built for a long and successful NCAA career.

Shea’s debut cross country season with NC State in 2024 also gave a glimpse into her potential. She finished 29th at the ACC Championships, running 20:19.8 for 6K, and repeated that 29th-place finish at the NCAA Southeast Regional in 21:21.5. Though her national championship debut didn’t go as planned—finishing 247th—it served as valuable experience for the future.

Shea is no stranger to the spotlight. Before arriving at NC State, she had already made waves internationally with a top-10 finish at the World U20 Cross Country Championships and national titles on the U.S. high school circuit. Her smooth transition into college competition reflects her maturity, discipline, and deep competitive drive.

As she continues to grow stronger under NC State’s elite coaching program, Ellie Shea is positioning herself as a key figure in the future of American women’s distance running. With her talent, resilience, and racing instincts, it’s not a matter of if—but when—she will become a dominant force in the NCAA and beyond.

posted Thursday May 1st
by Boris Baron