The Cecil Field Summer Classic in Jacksonville on August 24, 2024, marked the first major invitational of the Florida high school cross country season, which officially began on August 19. This event provided an early opportunity for teams to test their mettle against top competition from across the state.
Belen Jesuit Prep, coming off their impressive 4th place finish at last year’s Nike Cross Nationals, dominated the boys’ elite race. Sophomore standout Marcelo Mantecon led the charge, crossing the finish line first with a time of 15:01. While Mantecon has been a strong runner since middle school, it was his freshman year performances that really turned heads, including a 14:48 5K at the Great American XC Festival and an astounding 8:50.02 3200m at the Arcadia Invitational. His victory at Cecil Field suggests he’s ready to build on last season’s breakout performances.
Belen Jesuit’s depth was on full display as they placed five runners in the top seven, solidifying their status as one of the nation’s premier programs. Their team score of 23 points was untouchable, with second-place Buchholz far behind at 200 points.
Westminster Academy’s Jonathan Pena (15:24) and Gulf Breeze’s Andrew Beroset (15:32) rounded out the top three individual finishers, showcasing the depth of talent in Florida’s high school ranks.
The invitational also highlighted several up-and-coming programs. Buchholz, Westminster Academy, Bishop Kenny, and Braddock all had strong showings, suggesting they could be major contenders as the season progresses.
As the first major invitational of the season, the Cecil Field Summer Classic set the stage for what promises to be an exciting and competitive year in Florida cross country. With Belen Jesuit setting a high standard and a host of other teams and individuals showing promise, the 2024 season is off to a thrilling start.
Top 5 Individuals:
- Marcelo Mantecon (Belen Jesuit Prep) – 15:01
- Jonathan Pena (Westminster Academy) – 15:24
- Andrew Beroset (Gulf Breeze) – 15:32
- Marco Prieguez (Belen Jesuit Prep) – 15:36
- Diego Magarino (Belen Jesuit Prep) – 15:37
Top 5 Teams:
- Belen Jesuit Prep – 23 points
- Buchholz – 200 points
- Westminster Academy – 249 points
- Bishop Kenny – 251 points
- Braddock – 284 points
Results By 1st Place Sports – https://my.raceresult.com/304437/results
