FRESHMEN
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Harrison (GA)
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Ending his last middle school cross country and outdoor seasons with all first-place finishes--which included a XC National title, one XC state title and three outdoor state titles, Comstock is a name to watch.
Comstock entered his freshman season with a second-place finish and a personal best in the two-mile at the Hoya two-mile invitational in 9:43. Ever since, he has finished no worse than fifth in all the four 5K courses he has ran.
Two weekends ago, he came in fifth at the AT&T Starr's Mill Panther XC Meet in Fayetteville, Georgia, with a PR of 15:32 -- the fourth fastest freshman 5K time in the nation.
Coronado (CO)
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This Colorado freshman is building a strong foundation for the rest of his high school campaign.
Every race he runs, Horton seems to push out a new personal best.
At his most recent, the Liberty Bell Invitational, he placed ninth with a personal best and Coronado school record of 15:10. Not only was he the only ninth-grader in the top 20, but was also the fastest freshmen on the course ... ever.
His records last year stand out.
For example, at the end of his eighth-grade fall season, he placed first in the 3,500m at the Colorado Middle School XC Championship, running 11:32, and he won the 4,000m at the USATF Junior National XC Championships as well.
Photo Credit: MileSplit FL
Belen Jesuit Preparatory (FL)
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Belen Jesuit's Mantecon has been a name on the come-up for several seasons.
But this year, he's breaking through.
This past weekend, he scorched through the course at the Southern Showcase in Huntsville, Alabama, running his first sub-15 5K in 14:52.59. He was the only freshmen to rank in the top 10. That time is also the fastest 5K ever run in cross country by a freshmen.
Mantecon's middle school days were a peek into his upcoming high school career. Last fall, he finished his season off placing sixth at the FHSAA Class 3A XC State Finals and 68th at Nike Cross Nationals, running 15:58; he was the only eighth-grader in the entire race.