Belen Jesuit and Florida Elite Dominate State Finals
---
The FHSAA Cross Country State Finals showcased exceptional performances, with athletes and teams demonstrating their dedication and skill on one of the state's biggest running stages with the best of the best and some of the best nationally putting on a show ahead of the regional competitions.
Belen Jesuit Preparatory School delivered a masterclass in the 3A Boys race, earning a near-perfect score of 20 points. Sophomore Marcelo Mantecon led the charge with an impressive 14:57.80 to claim the individual state title. In doing so, Mantecon became the fifth individual boys state champion in Belen Jesuit history, running the second-fastest time ever on the course, only behind Patrick Koon's 14:56. Seniors Joseph Socarras, Justin Ruiz, and Marco Prieguez, along with sophomore Armando Cruz, rounded out the scoring pack in 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 7th places, respectively. Their remarkable 42-second 1-5 split and 15:28 team average highlighted their depth and cohesion. This performance secured Belen their eighth consecutive team title and 16th overall, solidifying their legacy as one of the most dominant programs in Florida cross country history. Runner-up Chiles High School scored 144 points, with their top finisher coming in 12th place.
| PLACE | VIDEO | ATHLETE | TEAM | MARK | POINTS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Marcelo Mantecon | 10 | Belen Jesuit Preparatory School | 14:57.80 | 1 | |
| 2 |  Andrew Beroset | 10 | Gulf Breeze HS | 15:21.80 | 2 | |
| 3 | Joseph Socarras | 12 | Belen Jesuit Preparatory School | 15:33.30 | 3 | |
| 4 | Justin Ruiz | 12 | Belen Jesuit Preparatory School | 15:34.40 | 4 | |
| 5 | Marco Prieguez | 12 | Belen Jesuit Preparatory School | 15:36.40 | 5 | |
| 6 |  Joushua Gammage | 12 | Dillard HS | 15:37.10 | 6 | |
| 7 | Armando Cruz | 10 | Belen Jesuit Preparatory School | 15:39.80 | 7 |
In the 4A Girls race, senior Mackenzie Roy of Spruce Creek High School delivered a standout performance, crossing the finish line in 17:19.50 to win the individual title. Freshman Madison Muller of Sarasota Riverview also impressed with a second-place finish in 17:54.20, signaling a bright future for the young runner. On the team side, Creekside High School emerged victorious with 70 points, bolstered by a balanced scoring lineup led by their second-place finisher. Their 1:18 split and 18:40 team average secured the championship over Buchholz High School, which finished second with 153 points.
| PLACE | VIDEO | ATHLETE | TEAM | MARK | POINTS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Mackenzie Roy | 12 | Spruce Creek HS | 17:19.50 | 1 | |
| 2 |  Madison Muller | 9 | Sarasota Riverview HS | 17:54.20 | ||
| 3 |  Sydney Johnson | 9 | Creekside HS | 18:03.70 | 2 | |
| 4 |  Rhyen Foley | 11 | East Ridge HS | 18:07.80 | 3 | |
| 5 | Arianna Roy | 12 | Spruce Creek HS | 18:15.40 | 4 |
The 4A Boys race saw Buchholz High School's Gino Palazzolo take the individual title with a strong finish of 15:23.60. His teammate Demetrie Meyers contributed a top-5 performance, finishing 4th in 15:38.60. Their depth helped secure a narrow team victory, scoring 143 points and averaging 16:04 per runner with a 1:13 split. Hagerty High School placed second with 160 points, relying on strong performances and a tighter 1:01 split, but ultimately falling short.
In the 2A Boys race, Bolles High School's Parker Adams claimed the individual state title, finishing in 15:24.60. While team results weren't highlighted, Adams' victory capped off a meet filled with exceptional performances.
The FHSAA State Finals celebrated excellence across the board, with numerous athletes and teams leaving their mark. Whether through dominant team performances or standout individual efforts, the meet highlighted the bright future of Florida cross country.