3A BOYS
Team Favorite: Belen Jesuit Preparatory School
The Belen boys have won 15 Team titles and are going for their 8th in a row. Next year at this time, they will be going for their 9th in a row. They are currently the #9 ranked team in the nation in the latest COROS CC Boys Team Rankings. Much accolade has already been given to this Belen team and the program led by Frankie Ruiz. The question is can they win with 15 points? The answer: I don't think so. They certainly have the #1 and 3-8 runners in 3A. If they run according to their best time this season, they score 18. What Belen scores will depend on the "OTHER" best sophomore in the State, Gulf Breezes' Andrew Beroset. This year's version the the Belen team features the #1 ranked boy in the State, So. Marcelo Mantcon. Mantecon has taken leadership of a team that has all 7 runners under 16:00.00 and an Average Team Time of 15:11.04 and a 1-5 Split of 42.80 seconds.
| 1 | 18 | ||||
| 1) Marcelo Mantecon | 14:40.20 | 1 | |||
| 2) Joseph Socarras | 15:12.00 | 3 | |||
| 3) Armando Cruz | 15:20.00 | 4 | |||
| 4) Justin Ruiz | 15:20.00 | 4 | |||
| 5) Marco Prieguez | 15:23.00 | 6 | |||
Average Time: 15:11.04 Total Time: 1:15:55.20 1-5 Split: 42.80 | |||||
| 6) Diego Magarino | 15:28.00 | 7 | |||
| 7) Matthias Murrle | 15:58.00 | 21 | |||
Chiles has a considerable edge on Naples for the 2nd spot on the podium.
Individual Favorite: Marcelo Mantecon (Belen Jesuit)
Marcelo Mantecon is the odds on favorite to win his first 3A State XC title. He is the 16th ranked boy in the Nation in the last Coros MileSplit Individual Boys Rankings. Last year, he was 2nd to one of the best ever in Florida, Leon's Patrick Koon. This year the race is his to win. He ran 15:09 last year and I wouldn't be surprised if he dips under 15:00. The weather is supposed to be cool and he has gone sub-15 several times already this season, leading the State with a 14:40.20.
Individual Contenders: Andrew Beroset (Gulf Breeze), Joseph Socarras (Belen Jesuit), Armando Cruz (Belen Jesuit), Justin Ruiz (Belen Jesuit), Marco Prieguez (Belen Jesuit), Diego Magarino (Belen Jesuit), and Tanner Andrade-Brinsko (Ponte Vedra)
The #2 ranked 3A runner in the State is another So., Andrew Beroset of Gulf Breeze. He has run 15:03.69 and I wouldn't be surprised if Mantecon goes sub-15 that Beroset joins him. Beroset was 4th last year in 15:25.00.
Here is how the Virtual 3A Boys meet looks based upon the best times run this season. The only other top 10 finisher in the list below from last year is Justin Ruiz who was 6th.
| 1 | Marcelo Mantecon | 2027 | Belen Jesuit Preparatory School | 14:40.20 | 1 | |
| 2 | Andrew Beroset | 2027 | Gulf Breeze HS | 15:03.69 | 2 | |
| 3 | Joseph Socarras | 2025 | Belen Jesuit Preparatory School | 15:12.00 | 3 | |
| 4 | Armando Cruz | 2027 | Belen Jesuit Preparatory School | 15:20.00 | 4.5 | |
| 4 | Justin Ruiz | 2025 | Belen Jesuit Preparatory School | 15:20.00 | 4.5 | |
| 6 | Marco Prieguez | 2025 | Belen Jesuit Preparatory School | 15:23.00 | 6 | |
| 7 | Diego Magarino | 2025 | Belen Jesuit Preparatory School | 15:28.00 | 7.5 | |
| 7 | Tanner Andrade-Brinsko | 2025 | Ponte Vedra HS | 15:28.00 | 7.5 |