Future Stars: Fifth-Grader Aliana Alvarez Building A Championship Résumé
Florida's next generation of distance runners is already making its presence felt, and Aliana Alvarez is quickly establishing herself as one of the state's brightest young Future Stars.
The Tavares Middle School fifth-grader and Class of 2034 athlete is already a two-time Middle School XC national champion. Alvarez won the 2,000-meter championship in both 2024 and 2025 while competing for the Red Sea Running Club.
MileSplit Florida has spotlighted Alvarez's track accomplishments, but her cross-country résumé is just as impressive. She first appeared in MileSplit results as a first-grader in 2022 and has since become a proven winner against much older competition.
Faster Than Every Boy At Florida Horse Park
Alvarez delivered another eye-opening performance at the 13th Florida Horse Park Invitational on Sept. 5. She won the girls' 2,000-meter race in 7:23.80. Her performance was not only the fastest girls' time of the meet; it was approximately 14 seconds faster than the winning time in the boys' race.
Florida Horse Park Invitational Highlight
A Sub-20 Performance At Lake Mary
Alvarez opened her 2026 season at the Lake Mary Summertime Run on Aug. 15. She finished second overall in 19:35.68. The only runner ahead of her was Red Sea teammate Alice Ilea, an eighth-grader who won in 19:21.21.
Lake Mary Summertime Run Top Two
Those two front-running performances helped Red Sea capture the girls' team championship with 48 points. Alvarez provided the second scoring position for a lineup that placed all five scorers among the first 19 team positions.
A Championship Contribution At FSU Pre-State in 2025
As a fourth-grader in 2025, Alvarez competed in the middle school girls' 3,000-meter race at the FSU Invitational/Pre-State. Racing on the Apalachee Regional Park course, she placed sixth overall in 11:25.60. She was Red Sea's fourth finisher as the club captured the team championship with only 20 points.
A Two-Time National Champion
Alvarez has already captured two Middle School XC national titles. As a third-grader in 2024, she won the 2,000-meter race at Middle School XC Nationals in 7:28.10. A year later, she returned as a fourth-grader and defended her title, winning in an improved 7:17.00.
Middle School XC National Championships
| Year | Grade | Distance | Place | Time |
|---|
| 2024 | 3 | 2,000m | 1st | 7:28.10 |
| 2025 | 4 | 2,000m | 1st | 7:17.00 |
Her 2025 performance was 11.10 seconds faster than her winning mark from the previous season.
One Of Florida's Young Future Stars
Alvarez is still several years away from beginning her high school career, but she has already assembled an exceptional résumé. She is a two-time Middle School XC national champion, has scored for championship teams and has shown that she can succeed at distances ranging from 1,000 meters to 5,000 meters. At the recent Florida Horse Park Invitational, she also ran approximately 14 seconds faster than the boys' winner.
The Class of 2034 remains a long way from high school graduation. If Alvarez's progression from first grade through fifth grade is any indication, Florida cross-country fans will be hearing her name for many seasons to come. Aliana Alvarez is not simply running well for her age. She is already proving that she is among Florida's young Future Stars.