* Marcelo Manetcon is one of the top underclassmen performers this cross country season
Photo Credit: Dan Loughlin/MileSplit
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The more weeks that go by, the quicker we get.
Next thing you know, we'll be in state, regional and national championship season.
Up until this point, Class of 2026 and 2027 athletes have stepped up and put together astonishing performances. It was another busy weekend, so we're going to check back in with underclassmen who rose to the occasion.
We have listed our top six Future Stars from the weekend below.
Photo Credit: Brandon Miles/MileSplit
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Marcelo Mantecon
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Miami Belen Jesuit Prep (FL)
Class of 2027
It was just about a month ago when Mantecon dipped under 15 minutes for the first time at the Southern Showcase and clocked a time of 14:52 for 5K. He backed up that performance with a 15:10 mark to finish fourth at the FSU Invitational.
However, Mantecon elevated himself to another level this weekend. At the Great American XC Festival in North Carolina, the freshman finished third and rewrote the record books.
As he crossed the finish line in 14:48, Mantecon re-set his own freshman class national best for the distance (in cross country).
So far this season, he's one of only two underclassmen to break 15 minutes for 5K. He's the only freshman to accomplish this feat in 2023.
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Portland Lincoln (OR)
Class of 2027
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Last year, Lincoln was the 14th-fastest 4K runner at the USATF National Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships.
This fall, she propelled into the high school scene and has become one of the top runners in the state. At the Nike Hole In the Wall Invitational, she faced top caliber individuals and teams in Marysville, Washington.
She crossed the finish line in 17:33 for third and was the top underclassman. Her top finish helped Portland Lincoln secure the win with 62 points to Jesuit's 94.
Riley Comstock
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Harrison (GA)
Class of 2027
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At the prestigious Jesse Owens Classic in Alabama, Comstock was able to have his breakthrough moment.
Not only did he run his third-consecutive 15-minute 5K, but he set a new lifetime best of 15:16 on the Oakville Indian Mounds Park course -- which led to his ninth-place finish.
This was the meet's 23rd-best performance and the second-fastest by a freshman. Comstock also took it upon himself to take control and lead Harrison to a second-place team finish.
Photo Credit: Laura Duffy/MileSplit
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Lily Eddington
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Downers Grove North (IL)
Class of 2026
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The Downers Grove North (IL) girls have taken down some of the top teams in the state this fall. Leading them is Eddington, who is a high school sophomore.
Recently at the Naperville Twilight Invite, she finished the 5K with a 17:37 performance to finish third overall.
This happens to be her third sub-17:50 mark this season. The Trojans were also able to claim the victory 37 points later and earned an 18:06 team average.
Photo Credit: MileSplit
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Jazleen Malherek-Osorio
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Wayzata (MN)
Class of 2026
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After Abbey Nechanicky graduated and left for Colorado, one of the biggest questions we had going into the season was her replacement at Wayzata.
It just might be Malherek-Osorio.
The sophomore has improved week-after-week and proven that she can be an individual that Wayzata can count on. After finishing 11th at Roy Griak, Malherek-Osorio stepped up and finished second at the STMA Invite.
She crossed the finish line in a new personal best of 18:18 and led the young Trojan team to victory with 27 points.
Ty Cirino
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Independence Central (OR)
Class of 2026
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Cirino has been the definition of consistency.
As a sophomore, he's run all five of his races in the 15-minute 5K range.
Over the weekend at the Harrier Classic, Cirino ran a lifetime best of 15:12 to take the title.
He also currently holds the seventh-fastest time in the state and is the top underclassman in Oregon.