Belen cross-country wins regionals, qualifies for nationals. Plus basketball and soccer results
After a dominant victory at the FHSAA State Championships a week prior, the Miami Belen boys’ cross-country team carried its winning momentum to the next level.
Competing under the name Miami Havana, they claimed the Nike NXR Southeast Regional Championship in Cary, North Carolina—an electrifying triumph against the region’s top teams from 12 states.
The competition was fierce, with only two coveted team spots on the line for an all-expenses-paid trip to the prestigious Nike NXN Nationals in Portland, Oregon.
The victory for Belen marks the third consecutive year the team has qualified for the nationals and fourth in program history.
With a commanding score of 94 points and an impressive team average of 15:27—three seconds faster than their 2023 performance—the Wolverines proved their pack racing strategy is what makes them so competitive.
Leading the charge were two standout sophomores: Marcelo Mantecon, who blazed through the 5K (3.1-mile) course in 14:55, and Armando Cruz, who followed close behind in a time of 15:23.
Mantecon placed fifth of 273 runners. Cruz was 34th. Senior teammates Justn Ruiz (41st in 15:31.4) and Marco Prieguez (47th in 15:35.8) also ran well. Diego Magarino, another Belen senior, was 84th in 15:51.5. Senior Michael Brunet was 86th in 15:52.9.
Fort Lauderdale Dillard senior Joshua Gammage was 81st in 15:51.
On the girls’ side, Miami Carrollton senior Grace Aldrich was 23rd of 248 runners in 17:51.3. Dillard 8th grader Shynah Collins was 75th in 18:33.1
Belen sets its sights on that ultimate prize in Portland, Oregon, where the Wolverines will compete at the Nike NXN National Championships on Dec. 7
Soccer
Katelyn Dull had a hat trick (scoring three goals) as the Miami Country Day girls’ soccer team defeated Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna 7-1.
Amelia Ziolkowski added two goals.
The Spartans (4-2) then beat Downtown Doral 7-1. Lula Arcila had four goals, and Ziolkowski scored two more.
Basketball
▪ BOYS: Belen Jesuit 71, Hialeah Gardens 37: Alec Arnholt 23 pts, 3rebs; Orlando Roche 16 pts, 3 asts; Lucas Diaz 7 pts; Mikey Valdes 6 pts, 6 asts, 5 rebs. Bel 2-0.
▪ BOYS: Coral Gables 85, Booker T. Washington 31: Bruno Sanchez 17 pts., 9 asts., 3 stls; Cristian Parades 16 pts, 5 rebs, 4 asts; Gael Cheung 14 pts, 6 rebs, 5 asts, 3 stls; Miguel Castellanos 8 pts, 10 rebs, 1 blk. CG 2-0.
▪ BOYS: St. Brendan 85, Key West 60: StB: Viegas 12 pts, Gutierrez 12, Perez 10, Duque 10, Fragela 10, Villalba 9, Lentz 5, Martinez S 5, Martinez T 4. KW: Osborne 30 pts, Cabrera 7, Roberts 5, Means 4, Martinez 4, Scott 4, Thanus 3, Aviles 2. 3-ptrs: Viegas 4, Gutierrez 4, Duque 3, Perez 2, Lentz 1, Martinez 1, Villalba 1. StB 2-0.
▪ BOYS: St. Brendan 60, Somerset Silver Palms 33: StB: T.Martinez 11 pts, Fragela 10, Lentz 9, Duque 8, Jimenez 7, Gutierrez 6, S.Martinez 5, Viegas 2. Som: Hann 10 pts, Fundora 10, Pelvez 5, Touz 3, Rodriguez 2, Delgado 2. 3-ptrs: Fragela 3, Jimenez 2, Gutierrez 2, Martinez S 1, Martinez T 1, Lentz 1. StB 3-0, Som 1-2.
▪ BOYS: Westminster Christian 85, Mater Academy Biscayne 28: J.Crespo 15 pts, C.Whitby 13, S.Sanchez 12, B.Hendrikse 12, D.Whipple 11, C.Miller 10, M.Riggs 6, J.Bomnin 2. 3-ptrs: J.Crespo 1, DWhipple 1, C.Whitby 1. Asts: J.Crespo 4, S.Sanchez 3, D.Whipple 4, C.Whitby 3, B.Hendrikse. Rebs: B.Hendrikse 6, C.Whitby 5, J.Crespo 4, D.Whipple 3, D.Leon 3, M.Riggs 2. WC 1-0, MAB 0-2.
▪ BOYS: Westwood Christian 71, Lake Worth Christian 68: Jason Martinez 22 pts, 10 rebs; Devin McIntyre 13 pts, 7 asts, 5 rebs; Tristan Barnes 13 pts, 10 rebs; Bryan Fernandez 9 pts, 3 stls, 5 rebs. WC 2-0.
▪ GIRLS: Palmer Trinity 72, Hebrew Academy 54: Wright 20 pts, Nieves 11, Sullivan 3, Esparza 17, Bloom 15, Stone 4, Rivero 2. 3-ptrs: Nieves 3, Esparza 2, Bloom 5. Rebs: Wright 12. Stls: Esparza 8. Asts: Esparza 7. Blk: Wright 1. PT 3-0.
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Roundup compiled by Jim Varsallone
jvarsallone@miamiherald.com
