By Florida Catholic staff - Florida Catholic
Student athletes run the course at the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) Cross Country State Championships in Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee. Catholic schools from the Archdiocese of Miami participated in the event, which took place on November 16, 2024.
Runners from Belen Jesuit Prep's cross country team make their way through the course at the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) Cross Country State Championships in Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee. At the event, which took place November 16, 2024, Belen took first place in the state, marking their wins at eight consecutive, and 16 overall titles in the state.
Christopher Columbus High Senior Anthony Arcello (leading in blue) makes his way through the course at the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) Cross Country State Championships in Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee. At the event, which took place November 16, 2024, Columbus's team placed third in Class 4A, and Anthony won 14th place individually, with a time of 16:03.9.
St. Thomas Aquinas High Senior Anthony Arcello ( in white) makes his way through the course at the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) Cross Country State Championships in Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee. At the event, which took place November 16, 2024, St. Thomas Aquinas's team placed 30th in Class 4A.
Belen Jesuit Prep's cross country team pose with their coaches after winning first place in Class 3A at the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) Cross Country State Championships in Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee, which took place November 16, 2024. It is Belen's eighth consecutive win, adding to 16 overall titles earned at the state level. Sophomore Marcelo Mantecon won first place in individual time, and set a state record for fastest time in the course at 14:57.8.
Our Lady of Lourdes Academy Junior Kylie Fernandez makes her way through the course at the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) Cross Country State Championships in Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee. At the event, which took place November 16, 2024, Lourdes Academy placed seventh in the Girls Class 3A, and Sophomore Alessandra Perez came in 18th place with a time of 19:08.9.
St. Thomas Aquinas High Senior Grace Finneran makes her way through the course at the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) Cross Country State Championships in Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee. At the event, which took place November 16, 2024, St Thomas Aquinas placed seventh in the Girls Class 4A, and Grace came in 12th place with a time of 18:26.0.
Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart Sophomore Gabriella Socarras (in yellow) makes her way through the course at the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) Cross Country State Championships in Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee. Followed closely behind are Cardinal Gibbons Sophomores Allison Albrecht and Molly Murphy (both in white with red stripe).At the event, which took place November 16, 2024, Carrollton's team came in fourth place in Class 2A , and Cardinal Gibbons came in 10th place in the same class.
Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart Senior Grace Aldrich makes her way through the course at the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) Cross Country State Championships in Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee. At the event, which took place November 16, 2024, Carrollton's team came in fourth place in Class 2A, marking them as the best finishing team in Miami Dade County. Grace came in second place for her individual time (18:13.6), marked as the fastest time for a female runner from Miami Dade County.
Cardinal Gibbons Freshman Claire Chanon holds her pace against a competitor at the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) Cross Country State Championships in Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee. At the event, which took place November 16, 2024, Cardinal Gibbons placed 10th in the Girls Class 2A, with Claire winning 20th place for individual time at 19:32.0.
St. Brendan High Senior Karina Martinez makes her way through the course at the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) Cross Country State Championships in Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee. At the event, which took place November 16, 2024, Karina placed 30th for individual time (19:48.9) in the Girls Class 2A.
Photography: COURTESY| Victor Arrieta
TALLAHASSEE| The cross country team from Belen Jesuit Prep held on to their state champion title for another year, making it eight consecutive win for their school, which holds an overall 16 state titles, the most out of any high school cross country program in Florida's history. Their victory took place at the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) Cross Country Championships at Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee on November 16, 2024.
Belen Sophomore Marcelo Mantecon also set a new state record of 14:57.8.
Belen's Class 3A Boys team placed individually with the following times:
- Sophomore Marcelo Mantecon, first place (14:57.8)
- Senior Joseph Socarras, third place (15:33.3)
- Senior Justin Ruiz, fourth place (15:34.4)
- Senior Marco Prieguez, fifth place (15:36.4)
- Sophomore Armando Cruz, seventh place (15:39.8)
- Senior Diego Magariño, 13th place (15:46.8)
- Senior Michael Brunet, 19th place (16:09.6)
Other Catholic schools from the Archdiocese of Miami also participated in the event, including Cardinal Gibbons High School in Fort Lauderdale, Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart in Miami, Christopher Columbus High School in Miami, Our Lady of Lourdes Academy in Miami, St. Brendan High School in Miami, and St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale.
Grace Aldrich, a senior from Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart was Miami-Dade’s highest finisher with her second place finish with a time of 18:13.6. Carrollton was also the best finishing girls team representing Miami Dade County.
The results for the Catholic school teams were as follows:
Class 4A Boys
- Columbus High, third place
- St. Thomas Aquinas, 30th place
Class 2A Girls
- Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart, fourth place
- Cardinal Gibbons High, 10th place
- St. Brendan High, no team score, individual runner, Senior Karina Martinez, 30th place (19:48.9)
Class 3A Girls
- Our Lady of Lourdes Academy, seventh place
Class 4A Girls
- St. Thomas Aquinas High, seventh place
Photographer: COURTESY| VICTOR ARRIETA
Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart Sophomore Gabriella Socarras (in yellow) makes her way through the course at the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) Cross Country State Championships in Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee. Followed closely behind are Cardinal Gibbons Sophomores Allison Albrecht and Molly Murphy (both in white with red stripe).At the event, which took place November 16, 2024, Carrollton's team came in fourth place in Class 2A , and Cardinal Gibbons came in 10th place in the same class.
