After memorable offseason trip, Belen Jesuit runners aiming to extend championship run
One by one, members of the Belen Jesuit cross-country team took a flying leap off a 60-foot cliff in Arizona this summer.
“It was insane,” said Josh Ruiz, Belen’s top runner. “It was an adrenaline rush.”
The cliff jumping was also an apt metaphor for the thrilling ride the Belen Jesuit cross-country team has been on the past half-decade.
The Wolverines, who last November tied a Florida boys’ cross-country record with five straight state titles, traditionally train out of state in the summer. Last year, for example, they ran in North Carolina.
But their summer trips have always been for a week to 12 days. This year, 21 Wolverines runners and two coaches spent a full month (July 17 to August 17) at a nine-bedroom, nine-bathroom mansion in Flagstaff, Arizona. The team trained vigorously this summer as each athlete logged roughly 60 miles per week.
Coach Frankie Ruiz, who has led Belen to 13 state titles since taking over the team in 2002, supervised the runners, along with assistant Carlos Jimenez.
The trip, Ruiz said, wasn’t paid for by the school. It was fueled by alumni fundraising and by the runners, who worked after-school jobs to help defer costs.
Ruiz, who has two young children (ages two and three), said the long trip has also come with personal sacrifice in terms of time away from family.
But the benefits of the past month should be far reaching for the team. They got to train at 7,000-feet altitude in ideal temperatures, mostly 50 to 70 degrees.
Belen trained in Flagstaff, home of Northern Arizona University. The NAU men’s cross-country team has won five national titles over the past six years.
“This was a transformational trip,” Ruiz said. “To be in Flagstaff with some of the best college and pros runners on these same trails was great.
“Our kids got to see the next level. Our kids also got to live with each other for a whole month, and, as a result, this could be one of the tightest groups we’ve had in a long time.
“At no other time in your life are you going to live with 20-something guys for a month.”
Ruiz made sure his runners got their rest. He made sure they hydrated and ate well.
But he also thought it was important that the team took a trip to the Grand Canyon and did other tourists activities, including kayaking in an incredibly scenic locale.
Josh Ruiz, a junior who finished second at state last year with a blistering time of 15:37, said the house Belen’s runners stayed at over the past month came equipped with a pool table and video games, all of which led to further team bonding.
“We had a great game room,” said Josh Ruiz, who is not related to Belen’s coach. “But the best part was that if someone had a bad workout, his teammates were right there to help.”
Although Belen lost ninth-place state runner Adam Magoulas to graduation and the University of Florida cross-country team, the Wolverines still have a stacked squad.
Evan Torres, who finished 10th at state last year with a time of 16:16, also returns along with fellow junior Lucas Garcia. Sophomores Joey Diaz-Quintero and Justin Ruiz – who is Josh’s brother – are also back.
Now that they’re back home in Miami, the Wolverines figure to make another dominant march toward the state finals in Tallahassee on Nov. 5.
Arizona helped get the Wolverines in elite shape, and it also gave them some great memories, which is where we get back to the cliff jumps.
Everyone on the team took the leap, including Belen’s 43-year-old head coach.
“Of course,” Frankie Ruiz said when asked if he jumped off the cliff. “I couldn’t ask the team to do anything that I wouldn’t do myself.”
THIS AND THAT
▪ Key dates - Monday: Regular season meets can begin; Sept. 2: King of the Hill Invitational (Tropical Park); Sept. 9: Youth Fair Invitational (Larry and Penny Thompson Park); Sept. 16: Spanish River Invitational (Boca Raton); Sept. 23: GMAC championship (Thompson); Sept. 29: Larry Wooten Invitational (Thompson); Date TBA: BCAA championships; Oct. 7-8: Pre-State FSU Invitational (Tallahassee); Oct. 14: Junior Orange Bowl Invitational (Thompson); Oct. 17-22: Districts; Oct. 26-29: Regionals; Nov. 5: State meet at Apalachee Regional Park (Tallahassee).
▪ Columbus, which finished fourth at state last year in Class 4A, is led by junior Alejandro Romagosa (16:14 personal best). The Explorers, who have seven top runners, figure to contend for a state title.
▪ Ransom Everglades is led by junior track standout David “Chuli” Serra.
▪ Braddock is led by juniors Michael Gongora, Andres Canas and Aidan Mendoza.
▪ Pine Crest is led by seniors Jack Gabrielle (16:49) and Jaret Rozanski (17:02), who were both top 15 at regionals last year.
▪ Pembroke Pines Charter’s boys’ squad will be led by sophomore Alejandro De Bastos (17:53) and senior Steven Fitz-Henley (18:35).
▪ Coral Park is led by a group of 10 seniors including Adrian Diaz (17:58), Alexander Michael Cabrices, Aaron Sanchez-Heft, Justin Orozco, William DeLaOsa.
▪ Calvary Christian is led by freshman Jonathen Anthony (18:24) and junior Mason Morin (18:52).
▪ Westminster Academy is led by sophomore Tanner Pritchard (18:32) and his twin brother Tyler Pritchard (18:39).
▪ Divine Savior is led by sophomore Daniel Stredel (20:52).
▪ Riviera Prep is led by senior Roman Giffune (17:05), who has drawn interest from several colleges.
▪ Southridge is led by senior Sergio Martinez (21:47).
▪ Flanagan is led by senior Jamari Benjamin (18:16).
▪ Terra is led by junior Daniel Lang (19:41).
▪ Miami Country Day is led by freshman Brady Lubetski (17:38).
▪ North Broward Prep is led by freshman Wills Gillis, who is national-caliber tri-athlete for his age group.
▪ Cardinal Gibbons is led by senior Alex Rodriguez (22:44).
▪ Colonial Christian is led by junior Owen Easom.
This story was originally published August 17, 2022 at 5:00 PM.