Belen’s Mantecon and Carrollton’s Aldrich are Dade Cross-Country Runners of the Year
Carrollton cross-country runner Grace Aldrich wanted to make her senior year a memorable one.
Belen Jesuit’s Marcelo Mantecon has already created a stockpile of memorable accomplishments and he’s still two years away from his senior season.
The two ended the 2024 season on personal bests while leading their respective teams to major accomplishments.
As such, Mantecon and Aldrich are the Miami Herald’s Cross-Country Runners of the Year.
Mantecon, the Boys’ winner, has already etched his name in his school’s history books after winning his first individual state championship this season.
Mantecon became the fifth runner in Belen history to win a state individual title, joining Eric Alvarez, Edward Acosta, Elliot Clemente and Javier Vento. His time of 14:57.8 was the second-fastest ever run on the state course - Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee - behind only former Tallahassee Chiles runner Patrick Koon, who once ran a 14:56.
Along the way, Mantecon spearheaded another dominant Belen squad, which won its eighth consecutive state title and 16th overall. Both are high marks for any team in state history.
Mantecon, who will run in the distance events during track and field season this spring, also helped Belen finish 12th nationally at the Nike Cross Nationals in Portland.
“It was definitely the goal from the beginning of the season and it worked out so I was happy,” Mantecon said. “It’s hard to meet the standard because we keep setting it higher but our coach has a good training plan and we follow it.”
Aldrich, the Girls’ Cross-Country Runner of the Year, came one spot short of winning her first state title in the Class 2A meet, but finished as a state runner-up for the first time with a time of 18:13.6. Aldrich broke 18 minutes twice this past season and her efforts helped Carrollton continue to elevate its program as the Cyclones finished fourth at state as a team in 2A.
Aldrich, who played soccer since she was 3 and later began running cross-country, is set to continue a family tradition by attending Boston College. Both of her parents attended that school and Aldrich grew up in Boston.
“I was really happy about it because my goal was to get either first or second and I wanted to finish the strongest I could,” Aldrich said. “At about 100 meters when I saw I was going to do it, I felt great. I’ve been able to get mentally stronger and push through when I’m out there. It was my last year and I felt like I wanted to make it the best that I could.”
