Top Athletes Battle at New World Fall Spectacular
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The New World Fall Spectacular delivered an electrifying showcase of talent, featuring elite races for both boys and girls. Athletes from across Florida gathered to compete on a challenging course, eager to prove their mettle in pursuit of state glory. The event highlighted the depth of talent in both divisions, with many top-ranked runners making their mark. Here's a look at the standout performances from the Elite races.
The Elite Boys race featured 14 of the top 20 ranked runners in the state, showcasing a highly competitive field. Marcelo Mantecon, a sophomore from Belen Jesuit, set a blistering pace, finishing 1st with a time of 14:49.00. This victory marks Mantecon's second major win this month, as he previously triumphed at the Great American XC Festival. Not far behind Mantecon was the standout duo from Buchholz in Gino Palazzolo and Demetrie Meyers, with Palazzolo finishing 2nd with a time of 15:01 and Meyers in third with a time of 15:02. Gulf Breeze sophomore Andrew Beroset finished in fourth with a time of 15:05.00 and Joseph Socarras of Belen Jesuit finished fifth with a time of 15:12, highlighting a field of 48 runners that finished under 16 minutes for the 5K.
| PLACE | VIDEO | ATHLETE | TEAM | MARK | POINTS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Marcelo Mantecon | 10 | Belen Jesuit Preparatory School | 14:49.00 | 1 | |
| 2 |  Gino Palazzolo | 12 | Buchholz HS | 15:01.00 | 2 | |
| 3 | Demetrie Meyers | 11 | Buchholz HS | 15:02.00 | 3 | |
| 4 |  Andrew Beroset | 10 | Gulf Breeze HS | 15:05.00 | ||
| 5 | Joseph Socarras | 12 | Belen Jesuit Preparatory School | 15:12.00 | 4 | |
| 6 |  Jonathan Pena | 12 | Westminster Academy | 15:14.00 | 5 | |
| 7 |  Liam Jordan | 12 | Berkeley Prep HS | 15:14.00 |
In the team race, Belen Jesuit continued to demonstrate their dominance, finishing with an average time of 15:12 and a 34-second 1-5 split, and in finishing with a score of 28 points. Buchholz followed in second with 160 points, while Chiles secured third with 270 points. Belen Jesuit's performance marks another step toward their anticipated eighth consecutive FHSAA 3A State Team title, and keeps their undefeated season alive.
The Elite Girls race was equally thrilling, featuring a competitive field of top-ranked athletes. Mackenzie Roy from Spruce Creek led the way, running a stellar race and crossing the finish line at 17:14.00. Her time of 17:14 broke the previous course record of 17:41.20 and the meet record of 17:57. North Bay Haven's Margaret Bartlow followed closely with a time of 17:19.00, while Alyson Johnson from Creekside secured third at 17:23.00. The strong competition continued, with nine girls runners finishing under 18 minutes, showcasing the depth of talent in the field.
| PLACE | VIDEO | ATHLETE | TEAM | MARK | POINTS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Mackenzie Roy | 12 | Spruce Creek HS | 17:14.00 | 1 | |
| 2 |  Margaret Bartlow | 12 | North Bay Haven | 17:19.00 | ||
| 3 |  Alyson Johnson | 11 | Creekside HS | 17:23.00 | 2 | |
| 4 |  Eliana Black | 11 | Cambridge (Christian) School | 17:33.00 | 3 | |
| 5 |  Jazlyn Forbes | 11 | Oasis HS | 17:44.00 |
In the team standings, Creekside emerged victorious with 84 points, demonstrating their impressive depth and consistency across the lineup. The team's strong performance was led by standout runner Alyson Johnson who finished 3rd, along with freshman Sydney Johnson, who finished an impressive sixth overall. Bishop Kenny took second place with 163 points, facing challenges in keeping pace with the leaders, while Ponte Vedra secured third with 169 points, highlighting the fierce rivalry among these teams as they pursue state success.