Cross-country preview: Belen Jesuit’s elite cross-country program among nation’s top 5
Belen Jesuit’s cross-country team spent this past summer training in high-altitude Flagstaff, Arizona, but the Wolverines have also climbed a figurative mountain-top this fall with a No. 4 preseason national ranking that is the highest in program history.
It’s hard to argue the poll.
Not when the Wolverines have won six straight Class 3A state titles.
Not when Belen returns eight of its top-10 runners from last season.
And not when senior Joshua Ruiz – by this time next year – is set to become the fourth Belen alum on the 2024 Florida Gators cross-country roster, joining Adam Magoulas, Javier Vento and Aiden Villasuso.
“Joshua is one of the most resilient runners we’ve ever had here,” said Belen coach Frankie Ruiz, who has led the Wolverines to 13 of their 14 state titles. “Joshua also has two brothers (twin Joseph and junior Justin) who are not far behind him (in talent).”
Behind Ruiz (best time of 15.16) is Marcelo Mantecon (15.45), ranked as the No. 1 prep freshman in the nation.
The rest of Belen’s top five includes two seniors: the aforementioned Joseph Ruiz (15.32) and Evan Torres (15:43). Junior Joseph Socarras (15.41) is another elite Belen runner.
Besides Belen, another top boys’ cross-country team is Columbus, which ranked second at state last year in Class 4A.
The Explorers have a deep roster that includes seniors Alejandro Romagosa (15:47), Daniel M. Garcia (16.07) and Mario Suerias (16.24). Juniors Anthony Scarcello (16:24) and Mateo Sotelo (16.57) are other Columbus runners to watch.
Ransom Everglades returns its top six runners from a team that finished 10th at state in Class 2A.
That includes senior David “Chuli” Serra, who finished second individually at state. In track, he also won state titles in the 1600 and 3200 meters.
On the girls’ side, Braddock finished second at state last year. The Bulldogs, who have never won state, are led by senior Annabella Cardona (18.19), junior Kayla Feeney (18.55) and senior Jada Garcia (18.58).
Lourdes returns six of its top seven runners from last season’s team that finished seventh at state in Class 3A. Junior Olivia Rodriguez (19:19) is Lourdes’ team captain.
Also for Lourdes: Sophomore Kylie Fernandez (19.38) is coming off a stellar track season. Junior Lucia Castillo-Rios (20.07) made second-team All-Dade in track. Daniella Fraga, whose sister Olivia is the Lourdes record-holder and currently runs for Brown University, will be a factor, too.
Cardinal Gibbons, which finished 14th at state last year in Class 2A, graduated six of its top 11 runners, including the fourth and fifth-fastest runners in program history.
This year, Gibbons returns three juniors who competed at the state meet: Nicole Mayo (21.09), Sophia Santi (21.44) and McCoy Penland (22.35). Mayo, the daughter of an ex-triathlete, spent this past summer as a lifeguard at the famed Jersey Shore.
Carrollton, seeking its second Class 2A region title in the past three years, will be led by sophomores Vero Larrea (19.53) and Arianna Garcia (19.55). Both were top-12 in its region, and the squad has added freshmen Daniela Hernandez and Emma Fillip, who were top-eight middle-school runners in the state.
THIS AND THAT
▪ Cardinal Gibbons’ boys’ team is led by sophomore Tomas Vidou (20.20) and junior Sebastian Gil (21.09). Sophomore Carlos Chapman has returned after back surgery forced him to miss all of last season. A seven-inch rod was placed in his spine. The Chiefs’ girls are led by a trio of juniors - Nicole Mayo, Sophia Santi, McCoy Penland.
▪ Braddock’s boys, 20th-place finishers at state last year, are led by three seniors: Andres Canas (16.55), Michael Gongora (16.51) and Aiden Mendoza (16.57). Sophomores Mauro Escalana (17.11), Jhonny Feix (17.38) and Andre Santos (17.41) are also in the mix.
▪ The Coral Gables boys, who finished fourth in the region and 30th at state, are powered by senior Anthony Rolesfursu and sophomores Luis Rodriguez, Linus Boettcher and Jason Norman. The Gables girls’ team is led by sophomore Avril Donner and seniors Cata Quinteros and Veronica Montalvo.
▪ Pembroke Pines Charter’s boys are led by juniors Alejandro de Bastos and Aiden Johnson.
▪ Coral Park senior Ashley Mereir (24.22) has a chance to be a state qualifier. Former Coral Park star Penelope Sosa is now running for UCF.
▪ Miami Country Day’s boys’ team is led by sophomore Brady Lubetsky (17:38). Eighth-grader Mayer Wolfson (20:52) is a young runner on the rise. MCD’s girls’ team is led by senior Isabella Galofre (22.29).
▪ Somerset Academy’s girls are led by junior Sara Gumier (22.36). The boys are led by converted basketball player/senior Robbie Stumph (17.45).
▪ Riviera Prep’s boys’ team, which will try to qualify for the state championships for the third straight year, is led by senior Julian Morales (18:24). Riviera’s girls’ team is led by sophomore Sabrina Martinez, who finished 14th at state with a top time of 19:09. She also won region and district titles.
▪ Goleman’s girls’ team is led by junior Hannah Paredes (22.33).
KEY DATES
Aug. 25: Conquistador Kickoff (FNU) at Larry & Penny
Sept. 1: Race of the Thoroughbreds at Larry & Penny
Sept. 8: FNU Invitational at Larry & Penny
Sept. 13: King of the Hill at Tropical Park
Sept. 19: Palm League Championship at Greynolds Park
Sept. 22-23: Spanish River Invitational at South County Regional Park in West Palm Beach
Sept. 29: Youth Fair Invitational at Larry & Penny
Sept. 29-30: FSU Pre-State Invitational at Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee
Oct. 5: Larry Wooten Invitational at Larry & Penny
Oct. 6-7: flrunners.com Invitational at Holloway Park in Lakeland
Oct. 13: GMAC Championship at Larry & Penny
Oct. 20: 305 Classic at Larry & Penny
Oct. 26: Junior Orange Bowl Invitational at Larry & Penny
Oct. 30-Nov. 4: Districts
Nov. 8-10: Regionals
Nov. 17: State championships at Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee
This story was originally published August 18, 2023 at 9:00 AM.