Mantecon delivered one of the most dominant, and one must add, exciting, seasons in Florida high school cross country history, capturing his second consecutive FHSAA Class 3A State Championship and finishing his junior campaign as the No. 2-ranked Coros MileSplit athlete in the nation. He was undefeated in Florida throughout the season and played a crucial leadership role in helping a young Belen Jesuit squad develop and mature early in the year.
Photo Credit: Cedric Gillette
At the FSU Invitational/Pre-State, Mantecon shattered Patrick Koons' course record, clocking 14:49.40 at Apalachee Regional Park. Earlier in the season, he made history at the New World Fall Spectacular, running 14:33.00, the fastest Florida high school boys' XC 5K of all time.
He continued his elite performances on the national stage, placing 4th at Nike Cross Nationals, earning his spot among the nation's best. In a memorable moment on Track-ish, Fleet Feet COO Jason Jabaut surprised Marcelo with the first-ever Fleet Feet Golden Ticket, granting him automatic entry into Brooks XC Championships to compete against the top 10 finishers from the Northeast, Midwest, South, and West Regional Championships.
Photo Credit: Johnny Gray
After his strong finish at NXN, he was one of the top favorites for the Brooks race. Racing with intelligence and fearlessness on the Balboa Park course in San Diego, he led through the 1-mile in 4:48.8 and 2-mile in 9:50.50. Understanding the race dynamics and the need to pressure the strong kickers and the runners more used to hills, he surged to a 20-meter lead heading up the hill for the second time. After a dramatic back-and-forth battle with eventual champion Jackson Spencer of Herriman (UT), Mantecon fought relentlessly to the line, finishing second in 15:10.90, just shy of his first national title.
2025 Season Highlights
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Florida Boys XC Runner of the Year (Back-to-Back)
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FHSAA Class 3A State Champion (Defended his 2024 Title)
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Florida HS 5K State Record - 14:33.00
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NXN Finalist (4th place)
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Brooks XC Championships Runner-Up
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Course records at Cecil Field (14:50), New World Fall Spectacular (14:33), and Apalachee Regional Park
Marcelo Mantecon's 2025 cross-country season was defined by consistency, courage, leadership, and historic performances. With another year still ahead of him, the future remains incredibly bright for the Belen Jesuit star.
Congratulations, Marcelo - your legacy continues to grow!
