Poll: Vote for the Miami Herald High School Athlete of the Week (13)
This week, we continue a feature where we ask you to vote for the best high school varsity performer of the week (in Broward and Miami-Dade counties).
This week includes nominees from high school cross-country, football and swimming.
Take our poll below to cast your vote. The poll will be open until Thanksgiving, Thursday, Nov. 27 at around 10 p.m. You may vote as often as you like until then.
Here are the candidates:
NOTE: You should see a Miami Herald box underneath this note for you to type Yes and click Submit. That will ignite the actual poll to vote.
Gioia Balzano, Miami Beach swimming: the senior won two 3A state titles at Florida Aquatics Swimming and Training in Ocala. She swam 1:46.11 to win the girls’ 200 freestyle and 54.21 seconds to place first in the girls’ 100 butterfly.
Armando Cruz, Belen Jesuit cross-country: the junior won the Region 4-3A boys’ championship in 14 minutes 59.1 seconds for the region champion Wolverines in Stuart.
Adrian Iziliaev, Gulliver Prep cross-country: the junior won the Region 4-2A boys’ championship in 16 minutes 10.9 seconds at South County Regional Park in Boca Raton. He led the Raiders to the team title as well.
Nicolas Kokidko, Braddock swimming: the freshman won a 4A state title in the boys’ 500 freestyle in 4:22.98 and placed second in the 200 freestyle in 1:37.32 in Ocala.
Hans Johan van de Kreeke, Ransom Everglades football: the sophomore cornerback, receiver and kick returner had 2 rushes for 27 yards and a TD, made 3 catches for 52 yards, totaled 7 tackles (3 solo), intercepted a pass, and blocked a field goal attempt as the Raiders defeated Gulliver Prep in a Region 4-2A playoff game.
Lucas Latimore, Westminster Academy cross-country: the junior, won the individual boys’ region title in 16 minutes 16.9 seconds to lead the team champion Lions at the Region 4-1A Championships at South County Regional Park in Boca Raton.
Marisa Mantecon, Lourdes cross-country: the freshman ran 18 minutes 53.7 seconds to win the Region 4-3A girls’ championship for the region champion Bobcats in Stuart.
Noelle Richardson, Westminster Academy cross-country: the junior paced the champion Lions’ girls’ team by placing second in 19 minutes 11.6 seconds at the Region 4-1A Championships at South County Regional Park in Boca Raton.
Cecil Smith, True North football: the junior had 4 carries for 126 yards and a TD and also added a 55-yard kick return in a 42-17 victory over Palmer Trinity in a 1A region quarterfinal at Tropical Park in Miami.
Gabriella Socarras, Carrollton cross-country: the junior was fifth of 115 runners in 19 minutes 19.9 seconds at the Cyclones won the Region 4-2A Championship at South County Regional Park in Boca Raton.
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This story was originally published November 22, 2025 at 1:47 AM.
