Belen track & field makes history at Nike nationals. Plus Doral soccer, USA flag football and more
The Belen Jesuit boys’ track & field team (competing as Miami Havana) delivered one of the most remarkable championship weekends in program history during Nike Indoor Nationals at The Armory in New York City.
The Wolverines captured four national titles across four days, combining historic individual performances with a record-breaking relay.
The weekend began when junior Marcelo Mantecón won the Championship 5,000m in 13:57.94, setting a meet record and moving to U.S. No.1 in the event.
On day two, Mantecón returned to the track and claimed another national title in the Championship Two Mile, running 8:48.02, which now ranks No.3 in the nation this season.
Day three proved to be another memorable day for the Wolverines. In the Championship 800m, sophomore Jack Michalak placed third overall in 1:51.32, a performance that ranks him U.S. No.1 among sophomores and No.12 nationally this season. Later that evening, Michalak returned to the track to help the Wolverines capture the Distance Medley Relay national title.
The relay team of junior Armando Cruz, freshman Carlos Benítez, Michalak and Mantecón delivered one of the greatest relay performances in high school indoor history, winning the race in 9:47.01 and breaking both The Armory facility record and the National Scholastic Record.
Cruz opened the race with a 3:00.02 1200m split before Benítez followed with a 50.76 400m leg. Michalak extended the lead with a 1:51.48 800m split, setting the stage for Mantecón to close the race with a 4:04.73 anchor mile to secure the national title.
The Wolverines capped the historic weekend on day four, when Mantecón captured his third individual national championship of the meet in the Championship Mile, running 4:00.66 to set a meet record, a U.S. high school indoor junior class record and move to No.4 in the nation this season.
From record-setting individual performances to a national-record relay, the Wolverines left Nike Indoor Nationals with one of the most impressive championship weekends in program history.
Mantecon, who starred nationally during cross-country season, led the way with an amazing effort, including that 4-minute mile run.
Other individual performances from the weekend include: Carlos Benítez in the freshman 60m and 400m, David Jaramillo in the freshman mile, Cruz in the Championship 5k and Championship Mile, and Michalak in the 1 Mile Emerging Elite.
Soccer
Doral Academy announced the hiring of new girls’ soccer head coach Eddie Hernandez.
With more than 14 years of coaching experience across Georgia and Florida, he has worked at some of the nation’s top youth development clubs and high school programs, helping guide players through elite competitive pathways including ECNL and the USSF Development Academy.
He previously coached with the top clubs in the country at Concorde Fire SC, NTH Tophat and Weston FC, and currently serves on the girls’ coaching staff with FC Prime, based in Davie. At the high school level, he has been part of multiple championship-caliber programs, including helping lead Greater Atlanta Christian School to the Georgia 5A State Championship in 2024 and contributing to many state finalists finishes in both Georgia and Florida, most recently with assisting at Cardinal Gibbons.
Hernandez holds a U.S. Soccer “A” License, the highest coaching certification in the United States, along with several additional national coaching licenses and youth development diplomas. He is known for his commitment to player development, competitive excellence and building strong team culture. He brings a wealth of experience and leadership to the Doral Academy girls’ soccer program and looks forward to building on the school’s tradition of success.
Flag football
Following Junior National Flag Football Team Trials recently, Miami residents Britton Bayag and Anthony Vera have been named to the initial roster for USA Football’s 2026 17U U.S. Boys’ National Team.
Coral Springs resident Christopher Cortinas (Monarch High School) was also named to the 17U roster.
The athletes will attend a training camp in April before the final rosters are announced.
The Junior National Teams represent America at USA Football’s annual Junior International Cup in Los Angeles. Bayag and Vera were part of the 2025 17U U.S. Boys’ National Team that captured gold at last year’s tournament.
Bayag won gold medals with the 15U U.S. Boys’ National Team at the 2023 and 2024 Junior International Cups. He was named MVP of the Gold Medal Game in 2024. Bayag also won a gold medal on the 17U U.S. Boys’ National Team in 2025. He plays football and runs track for Westminster Christian School.
Vera won gold medals with the 15U U.S. Boys’ National Team at the 2023 and 2024 Junior International Cups. He also won a gold medal on the 17U U.S. Boys’ National Team in 2025. He also plays football for Westminster Christian School.
Flag football international competition is increasing at all age levels as the sport prepares for its Olympic debut in 2028.
More flag football
Miami residents Nico Casares (Palmer Trinity alum) and Mike Daniels (Palm Glades Prep alum) and Pompano Beach resident Laderrick “Pablo” Smith (Blanche Ely alum) will compete in the Fanatics Flag Football Classic on March 21 in Los Angeles as part of USA Football’s reigning IFAF Flag Football World Champion U.S. Men’s National Team.
Their head coach is Jorge Cascudo another Miami resident.
The event will also feature many current and former professional football stars, including Tom Brady, Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, Myles Garrett and more.
The Fanatics Flag Football Classic, a groundbreaking global event from Fanatics Studios, the joint venture between Fanatics and OBB Media, Tom Brady and FOX Sports, has announced its full list of participants for the inaugural event set to occur at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.
The newly-structured, first-of-its-kind competition includes three 12-player teams: two comprised of an incredible mix of current and former NFL stars and elite global athletes, and the third represented by USA Football’s reigning IFAF Flag Football World Champion U.S. Men’s National Team, setting up a world-class showdown between many of the biggest names in sports and the most accomplished flag players in the world.
Founders FFC will be captained by Tom Brady and Jalen Hurts and coached by Sean Payton. Wildcats FFC will be captained by Jayden Daniels and Joe Burrow and coached by Kyle Shanahan.
Boys’ volleyball
It took five sets to determine a winner between Southwest and Columbus with the Eagles prevailing 15-12 in the final set.
Belen Jesuit d. Cardinal Gibbons 13-25, 25-23, 25-16, 29-27: Billy Essig 23 kills, 6 digs, 2 aces; Miguel Martinez 11 kills, 3 blocks; Jeremy Garcia 8 kills, 2 blocks. Bel 3-2.
Reagan d. SLAM Miami 25-17, 25-12, 25-16: Diego Requena 9 kills, 13 assists, 5 aces, 7 digs; Michael Perez 8 kills, 18 assists, 4 digs, 3 blocks; Anthony Cipolla 10 kills, 8 serve received, 8 digs; Allan Hernandez 5 kills, 1 block; Alfonzo Castillo 2 kills, 5 blocks; Santiago Mejia 14 serve received, 8 digs, 2 assists. Rea 5-2.
Southwest d. Columbus 24-26, 25-23, 25-19, 16-25, 15-12: Kevin Muñoz 4 kills, 33 assists, 6 digs; Alejandro Reyes 9 kills, 6 blocks, 4 digs; Shia DeCastro 10 kills, 11 digs. SW 6-1.
True North d. Palmetto 25-13, 26-24, 25-23: The Titans evened their record at 5-5.
Water polo
In a battle of the state’s top two teams, the Ransom Everglades boys’ water polo team erased a 2-goal deficit with under 2 minutes to play and then defeated St. Thomas Aquinas 12-11 in overtime on a game winner by junior Ashton Gould.
Lacrosse
BOYS: Belen Jesuit 12, Calvary Christian 5: Adrian Navarro 3 goals, 2 assists; Jack Consuegra 4 goals; Adriano Vizoso 2 goals; Lorenzo Magarino 1 goal; Matias Cabanas 1 goal; Jaime Torres: 1 goal. Bel 11-0.
Baseball
Doral Academy 9, Miami High 1: Louis Prieto 2-4, 2 RBI; Anthony Velasquez 1-3, 3 RBI; Kobe Carrion 1-1, 2 RBI; WP Christopher Vasallo 4 IP, 4 K. Dor 13-2.
Softball
Braddock 9, Somerset South Homestead 4: Brd: Anais Gonzalez 4-4, 3 R; Emely Ramirez 2-4, R; Emily Cancio 3-4, HR, 2B, 3 R, 2 RBI; Anelis Goberna 2-4, 2 R, 3 RBI; WP Emely Ramirez 7 IP, 4 R, 2 ER, 5 BB, 7 K. SSH: Destiny Polles 3-4, 2B, R; Olivia Fleitas 2-4, 2 R. Brd 4-1, SSH 4-4..
Submit 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
This story was originally published March 20, 2026 at 12:12 AM.
