Miami Cross-Country Teams Excel at Region Championships
The Miami Belen Jesuit boys’ cross-country team is on a roll as they captured their 22nd consecutive regional championship this past weekend. Competing at the Region 4-3A meet held at South Fork High School in Stuart, the Wolverines showcased their strength in hot conditions, with a heat index reaching 86 degrees.
Belen Jesuit dominated the race, finishing with a perfect score of 15 points, meaning they took the top five spots overall among a field of 110 runners from 16 teams. Sophomore Armando Cruz pushed ahead in a thrilling final stretch to win individually with a time of 16:10. His teammates were right on his heels: Senior Joseph Socarras came in second at 16:10.20, followed by senior Diego Magarino in third at 16:10.30, senior Justin Ruiz fourth at 16:10.40, and sophomore Marcelo Mantecon fifth at 16:10.50.
This impressive victory means the Wolverines will head to the FHSAA State Championships again, marking their 52nd consecutive appearance. The team aims for its eighth straight state title, which would extend their record for the most consecutive team championships in any sport.
In other regional results, in the girls’ Region 4-3A race, Fort Lauderdale Dillard secured the team title with just 29 points, led by eighth grader Shynah Collins who won individually in 18:53.90. The runner-up was Lourdes with 74 points.
Moving to the Region 4-4A championships held at Tropical Park in Miami, senior Grace Finneran of St. Thomas Aquinas clinched the individual title with a time of 19:00.50, helping her team to victory as well. On the boys’ side, Miami Columbus bounced back from a previous district runner-up finish to win the title with 47 points.
The excitement continues as local teams prepare for the upcoming state championship events, showcasing the talent and determination of Miami’s high school athletes.
Author: STAFF HERE CLINTON
CLINTON STAFF WRITER The CLINTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREClinton.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Clinton, Laurens County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Festival of Discovery, Clinton Community Day, and performances at the Whitten Center Amphitheater. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce and the Laurens County Historical Society, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and education that power the local economy such as Milliken & Company and Presbyterian College. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
