The 12th version of the Florida Horse Park Invitational has grown over the years to become one of Florida's early-season tests for some of the top boys and girls runners in the state. The race is held at the Ocala Horse Park. It is a flat, all-grass, non-loop course, and the only feature that keeps it from being a really fast course is the number of turns. The meet has featured some of the state's top talent, and this year's races are no exception. The varsity boys' race has 461 individuals representing 58 schools. The girls' varsity race features 457 individuals representing 52 schools.
The boy's race features the number one team in the state, Belen Jesuit Prep. They opened with a win at Cecil Field, rested from competing last weekend and we should see a fresh, young team that continues to display why they are one of the top-ranked team in Florida and one of the top-ranked teams in the country. The team is led by two juniors, Marcelo Mantecon and Armando Cruz. Mantecon set the course record in 2024. Cruz was seventh. In addition to Mantecon and Cruz, seven others return from last year's top 20.
2024 Top 20 Returners
Storylines to Watch
Individual: Can Mantecon go sub-15 and break his own course record? It took 16:17.00 to make the top 20 in 2024. This year, it may take sub-16:00.
Team Battle: Expect Belen to win. They are running the same seven from their win at Cecil Field and adding two sophomores to their lineup, Sebastian Fernandez and Jack Michalak. Buchholz was second last year and returns two of the top runners from last year, Demetrie Meyers and Samuel Freas. They were third at Cecil Field and should be the number two team on the podium.
Other Ranked Teams:
1A
No. 3 Oak Hall, No. 4 Providence, No. 5 Maclay
2A
No. 2 West Shore, No. 4 Mater Lakes Academy, No. 5 Eastside HS
3A
No. 1 Belen Jesuit, No. 2 Fleming Island, No. 5 Ponte Vedra, No. 7 Ocala Vanguard
4A
No. 4 Buchholz, No. 8 George Steinbrenner, No. 9 Doral Academy Charter
The number one-ranked girl in the state, freshman Annabella Tomasic of Bishop Moore, is scheduled to run. Tomasic set a new course record of 17:37 in her opener at Cecil Field. She likes to go out hard and is not afraid to set the pace. Even with the unfamiliarity of the course, expect her to go out fast and challenge all to go with her. If the weather cooperates, Tomasic we may see a sub-18:00 performance from Tomasic.
Based solely upon times run this season, there are eight other girls scheduled to run who are currently in the top 20, and there are 11 girls scheduled to run who finished last year's race in the top 20. Of note, sophomore Selah Vignier of West Shore HS is currently ranked number eight with an 18:47. She was 5th at Cecil Field. Junior Cheyenne Thomas of Tavares and sophomore Lainee Mercer of Springstead are ranked numbers 11 and 12 at this time. Mercer was second in 2024 in 18:46.90. Thomas won at Jim Ryun in her opener.
2024 Top 20 Returners
Individual: Can Tomasic go sub-18 and break the course record? To get in the top ten this year will require a sub-19:00 run. Possibly a sub-18:50.
Team Battle: Ponte Vedra is the favorite to take the girls' title. They were runner-up in 2024 and are currently the number one-ranked team in the state. The ladies from Our Lady of Lourdes Academy (Miami) may give the Ponte Vedra girls a challenge. They are currently the number two naked team in the state. The teams are very similar based on the times run so far this season.
