Belen’s Mantecon fourth at nationals. Plus state honors, Douglas signings and more
Marcelo Mantecon capped another remarkable chapter of his historic season at the Nike Cross-Country Nationals in Portland, Oregon.
Racing on the notoriously muddy and water-logged grass of the Glendoveer Golf Course, he delivered one of the most impressive performances of his career against the nation’s premier high school runners.
Competing at the championship for the fourth consecutive year, Mantecon once again proved he belongs among the country’s elite.
The front pack -- which included Mantecon from the opening mile -- pushed an aggressive pace despite slippery footing that has become synonymous with the hilly challenging course. In a tightly contested finish where only 4.5 seconds separated the top four athletes.
Mantecon finished fourth in 15:05.06. Two of the top four placers are seniors, and Mantecon and the other top four finisher are juniors.
Mantecon competed as a member of the U.S. Southeast team while representing Belen Jesuit, which for the first time in three years did not qualify as a full team because the Nike SE Regional Championship meet overlapped with the FHSAA State Championships.
Mantecon earned his spot in Portland through a highly coveted At-Large individual invitation.
With his successful season’s performances, Mantecon also secured the first Golden Ticket to auto-qualify for the Brooks Fleet Feet Championships in San Diego, California, where he will close out one of the most decorated and unforgettable seasons in Florida and Belen cross-country history.
Volleyball state honors
Stephanie Gibson of Winter Park High School was selected the 2025 Florida Dairy Farmers Girls’ Volleyball Coach of the Year, following a final round of voting by a statewide panel of high school volleyball coaches and state media representatives.
This year’s award is the sixth of Gibson’s career, extending her record for most Girls’ Volleyball Coach of the Year honors. Gibson’s awards have come in four different decades, with her first coming in 1995 while she was the coach at Miami Sunset. She has won the award five times while at Winter Park (2004-05-13-24-25).
The state’s Class 4A Coach of the Year Brian Coughenour of state champ North Broward Prep was fourth of eight in the final voting.
Amelia Mancino also of Winter Park High School is the 2025 Florida Dairy Farmers Miss Volleyball, following a final round of voting by a statewide panel of high school volleyball coaches and media representatives.
The senior outside hitter led her squad to a 31-1 record and the Class 7A state championship this season with 318 kills, 219 digs, 71 aces and 26 blocks. Mancino has committed to play volleyball at Appalachian State University.
The state’s Class 4A Player of the Year Dasia Johnson of state champ North Broward Prep was sixth of eight in the final voting.
College signings
Stoneman Douglas High School: Baseball: Abraham Halaoui (Daytona State); Matthew Toback (Daytona State); Jake Rizzo (Dayton); Lorenzo Laurel (University of Florida); Giovanni “Gio” Rojas (University of Miami). Girls’ Soccer: Breanna McWilliams (Ferrum College); Jacqueline DeStefano (Flagler College); Kenslee Ward (Wake Forest). Girls’ Lacrosse: Chloe Resnik (Robert Morris).
Basketball
Jason Martinez had 14 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 assists, and 2 blocks to lead the Westwood Christian boys’ basketball team over Doral Ronald Reagan 75-38. The Warriors are 6-1.
BOYS: Belen Jesuit 77, Schoolhouse Prep 62: Orlando Roche 18 pts 5 asts, 5 rebs; Alec Arnholt 15 pts, 4 asts, 4 rebs; Lucas Diaz 14 pts, 5 asts; Alejandro Bird 10 pts, 2 asts, 3 stls; Samuel Hincapie 7 pts, 4 asts, 4 rebs; Felipe Ariza 6 pts, 2 asts. Bel 5-0.
BOYS: Westwood Christian 75, Doral Ronald Reagan 38: Bryan Fernandez 14 pts, 1 stl; Jason Martinez 14 pts, 6 rebs, 2 asts, 3 stls, 2 blks; Zamari Dewberry 10 pts, 5 rebs, 2 asts; Mayar Dhieu 12 pts, 5 rebs, 1 blk; Danny Cabello 6 pts, 2 rebs, 2 asts, 4 stls. WC 6-1.
GIRLS: Palmer Trinity 63, Hebrew Academy 37: Esparza 20 pts (2 3-ptrs), 10 asts, 6 stls; Nieves 19 (5 3-ptrs); Laria 11 pts; Wright 11 pts; Stone 2 pts; Sullivan 11 rebs; 2 blks. PT 7-1, HA 5-3.
GIRLS: Palmer Trinity 58, SLAM 16: Esparza 13 pts (1 3-ptr), 9 asts; Nieves 17 (5 3-ptrs), Laria 13 pts, 11 rebs, 5 stls, 2 blks; Wright 7 pts; Rivero 2 pts; Sullivan 2 pts Stone 4 pts. PT 6-1, SLAM 2-3.
GIRLS: Palmer Trinity 62, North Miami 43: Esparza 20 pts (1 3-ptr), 6 asts, 3 stls; Nieves 9 pts (3 3-ptrs); Laria 11 pts (1 3-ptr); Wright 10 pts (1 3-ptr), 12 rebs; Rivero 4 pts (1 3-ptr); Sullivan 8 pts. PT 5-1, NM 3-1.
Soccer
Mathieu Blanchard scored twice, and keeper Jadir Ruiz recorded the shutout as Coral Gables defeated American 3-0 in boys’ soccer. The Cavaliers improved to 4-2-2.
BOYS: Belen Jesuit 2, Doral Ronald Reagan 0: Simon Parra 1 goal; Sebastian Barrientos 1 goal; Andres Abreu 1 assist; Gkp Julian Quijano shutout. Bel 8-2-3.
BOYS: Belen Jesuit 1, Mater Academy 1: Bel: Simon Parra 1 goal; Andres Abreu 1 assist. Bel 7-2-3.
BOYS: Cardinal Gibbons 1, Flanagan 1: CG: Brody Boerstler 1 goal; Eugene Gibbons 1 assist. CG 2-3-2.
BOYS: Coral Gables 3, American 0: Mathieu Blanchard 2 goals; Gabriel Carrizo 1 goal; Gkp Jadir Ruiz shutout. CG 4-2-2.
BOYS: NSU University School 3, North Palm Beach Benjamin School 1: Raul Leyva 1 goal; Valentino Ferris 1 goal; Martin Segal 1 goal. NSU U 6-0-3.
BOYS: NSU University School 1, Chaminade-Madonna 1: NSU U: Oliver Collazos 1 goal. NSU U 5-0-3.
Wrestling
Deerfield Beach had a solid showing at the Chief Duals Boys’ Wrestling Tournament at Cardinal Gibbons High School in Fort Lauderdale. Bucks’ senior Christopher Coleman at 285 pounds won all his matches except one, that to three-time state champ Michael Mocco of Cardinal Gibbons.
Deerfield Beach team scores: Deerfield Beach 59, Nova 6; Deerfield Beach 40, Fort Lauderdale 27; Deerfield Beach 53, Miramar 24; Deerfield Beach 55, Boyd Anderson 12; South Broward 36(+1), Deerfield Beach 36 (South Broward won on criteria); Cardinal Gibbons 71, Deerfield Beach 12.
Send sports results
For high schools in Broward and Miami-Dade counties, if you have varsity sports results and top performers (with stats), email hssports@miamiherald.com.
They will run in the newspaper and online. Photos accepted, too. No deadline. You will be alerted when it will appear.
Also, some will be considered athlete of the week nominations.
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Compiled by Jim Varsallone
jvarsallone@miamiherald.com
