AMMAN, JORDAN (EuropeanAthletics.com) – Alemayehu Bezabeh, an immigrant from Ethiopia, will join hands with veterans Carles Castillejo and José Luis Blanco to spearhead Spanish charge at the 37th IAAF World Cross Country Championships, Amman, Jordan on March 29.

The Royal Spanish Athletics Federation has named a 19-member team composed of 11 athletes in senior category- six men and 5 women-and eight athletes in the junior category -5 men and 3 women.

Up to six athletes per category are allowed to participate, while the first four qualify. The performance at the Spanish Championship, held in Albacete last Sunday, was instrumental in naming the team.

In Men’s category the top six finishers made the cut, while only the top five in juniors were shortlisted.

The women’s team includes the fourth to eighth place finishers after the first three (Rosa Morató, Iris Fuentes-Pila and Nuria Fernández) decided to opt out of the March 29th meet.

In the men’s field Castillejo, Lamdassem and Blanco have been part of the team for the World Championship before, while Javier López and Manolo Penas will rub shoulders with the best for the first time.

Spanish hopes in the women’s filed rest on national champion Cristina Jordan, while the chances of seasoned pros like Alessandra Aguilar and Jacqueline Martín can never be discounted.

Spain Team:

SENIOR – MEN
Alemayehu Bezabeh, Carles Castillejo, Ayad Lamdassem, Javier López, Manolo Penas and José Luis Blanco.

SENIOR – WOMEN
Alessandra Aguilar, Jacqueline Martín, Judit Plá, Diana Martín, and Cristina Jordán.

JUNIOR – MEN
Mario Mola, Antonio Abadía, Jaime Villa, Aitor Fernández and Martín Ortiz.

JUNIOR – WOMEN
Sandra Mosquera, Tania Carretero, Estefanía Tobal.

Officials:
Gerardo García (Team Manager), Alfonso Ortega, Jesús Alvarado, Oliva Román and Carlos Alonso (Coaches); Dr Carmen León, Ángel Basas and Isabel Arbonés (Physio) Jaime Samaniego (Judge)