Start of the 2024 Girls' Race of Champions.
Photo Credit Bernie Von Dauber
The FLRUNNERS.COM Invitational has become known as the PreState meet for middle schoolers. In the past, some of the winners of the meet and the FLYRA Middle School State Meet have gone on to be some of the best Florida high school boys and girls at the varsity level.
The Middle School meet record is 9:30.32 and is held by Marcelo Mantecon of Belen Jesuit who ran for the Miami Elite Track Club at the time. Mantecon, just set the #1 All-Time fastest XC 5K of any Florida boy in history and set the record in the 3000m in winning the 2022 race. Last year's top three finishers were Reed Hagen, running for the Elite Runner Fort Myers club. Hagen won in 10:12.55. Seconds was Nicholas Alvarez of the Red Sea Running Club with a 10:13.39. Third was Omar Castillo of the Red Sea RunningClub with a 10:18.00.
Collin Langston
Photo Credit: Mark Stonecipher
The Middle School boys' race on Friday evening will be one to watch. It features the #1, 3, 4, 6, 7, and 10th-ranked boys in the state.
1 9:47.20
Collin Langston
Hillsborough Harriers
2030 06, 2025
Zoey Christensen
Photo Credit: Mim Stonecipher
On the girls' side, the Meet Record is held by Cheyenne Thomas. Thomas, a junior at Tavares HS now, set the record of 10:39.54, running for the Red Sea Running Club in 2022. Last year's top three finishers were Barbarita Jedlicka of the Boca Warriors Track Club, who won in 11:21.49. Second was Makaela Morilla of the Boca Warriors Track Club with an 11:26.44, and third went to Jada Ordway of the Tampa Bay Pirates in 11:30.79.
The girls' race on Friday evening features the #2-ranked middle school girl in the state, Zoey Christensen, who has run 10:56.40.
Other Top Seeded Middle School Girls
Estefania Capriles 11:05.00
Yanisa Torres 11:15.57 1T1D Elites
Adriana Perrette 11:38.60 Boca Warriors Track Club
Faith Gladstone 12:05.40 Boca Warriors Track Club
Elisa Stroup 12:06.58 Boca Warriors Track Club
Amelia Ford 12:20.46 WIND Runners
Alaina Cerrito 12:30.90 WIND Runners