Winning has become so automatic for the top-ranked Miami Belen Jesuit boys' cross-country team that the only suspense this season is which Wolverine will win the individual title.

After watching teammate Lawrence Duran win the District 8-2A title last week fellow senior Joseph Dorfman decided it was his turn at the Region 4-2A championships at Mills Pond Park on Friday.

In what some viewed as the passing of the torch between the present and future of Belen Jesuit's dominance, Dorfman out-kicked freshman Elliot Clemente in the last 50 meters to win in 16:08.

''Elliot and I were pushing each other real well at the end,'' Dorfman said. ``He always comes to run. It is amazing for a 9th-grader to do that. I really appreciate him for that. He will push me in practice and out here in the meets. That is what goes on in our team. It is good competition for each other.''

The top six teams and top 15 individuals advance to the FHSAA State Finals at Little Everglades Park in Dade City on Nov. 22.

A 1-2-3 finish behind Dorfman, Clemente (16:09) and Duran helped the Wolverines, ranked No. 1 overall in the flrunners.com state poll, grab six of the top 16 spots and claim the Region title.

The victory moves the Wolverines a step closer to a third consecutive state title and fourth overall.

Although the Wolverines will enter the state meet undefeated, coach Frankie Ruiz said his runners won't have a problem staying focused.

''We tell them that every race is a different race, the past is the past,'' Ruiz said. ``We don't pay too much attention to rankings. It is good for the media and the fans but we still have to come out next week and run a strong race.''

Ransom Everglades got a fourh- and 10th-place finish by Robert Figueroa-Downing and Francisco Triana to take second.

Dade's top individual performance on the girls side came from Gulliver Prep 8th grader Carrie Davis, who finished fourth in 19:31. Davis fought through painful shin splints to earn her third trip to states.

''This is really cool,'' Davis said. ``I got the start I needed and did pretty good. I want to PR at states and stay with the top girls. I want to finish top five.''

Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons claimed its first regional girls' title in eight years, and Miami Ransom Everglades placed fifth -- the highest among Dade girls and Miami Gulliver Prep seventh.

• Region 4-2A Championships - Boys individual results: 1. Joseph Dorfman (BelJ) 16:08; 2, Elliot Clemente (BelJ) 16:09; 3. Lawrence Duran (BelJ) 16:33; 4. Robert Figueroa-Downing (RE) 16:39; 5. Gabriel Loret De Mola (BelJ) 16:42; 6. Nicholas Palermo (NBP) 16:43; 7. Lazaro Fields (BelJ) 16:44; 8. Sean Pulver (CG) 16:45; 9. Timothy Hendricks (NBP) 16:46; 10. Francisco Triana (RE) 16:54; 11. Garett Faulkender (AM) 16:55; 12. Adrian Diaz-Granados (RE) 17:02; 13. Tyler Amato (AM) 17:04; 14. Harden (KW) 17:04; 15. William Wiesler (AM) 17:09. Team scores: 1. Belen Jesuit 17; 2, Ransom Everglades 56; 3. Archbishop McCarthy 84; 4. Pine Crest 121; 5. Cardinal Gibbons 183; 6. Lincoln Park 184; 7. Gulliver Prep 194; 8. Pope John Paul II 228; 9. Mater Academy 258; 10. University School 265; 11. Key West 289; 12. Suncoast 321; 13. St. Andrews 322. Girls individual results: 1. Stephanie Schappert (PJP) 18:54; 2. McCoy (CorShore) 19:17; 3. Schmutz (SA) 19:25; 4. Carrie Davis (GP) 19:31; 5. Isa Cuervo (RE) 19:52; 6. Macy Huskey (CG) 19:57; 7. Hensley (LP) 19:59; 8. Sydney Schneider (US) 20:00; 9. Nicole Golden (PC) 20:23; 10. Kerishma Habbu (PC) 20:23; 11. Kadeeja Dooling (AM) 20:31; 12. Raymond (LP) 20:32; 13. Alexandria Macedo (CG) 20:33; 14. Hitsman (LP) 20:34; 15. Luttio (SA) 20:34. Team scores: 1. Cardinal Gibbons 91; 2. St. Andrews 92; 3. Pine Crest 96; 4. Lincoln Park 98; 5. Ransom Everglades 112; 6. Archbishop McCarthy 164; 7. Gulliver Prep 194; 8. Coral Shores 201; 9. Jensen Beach 231; 10. Pope John Paul II 250; 11. University School 263; 12. Archbishop Carroll 290.

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