* Marcelo Mantecon won the Cecil Field Summer Classic for the second year in a row
Photo Credit: Cedric_TheTrackPhotographer/MileSplit Florida
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For the last eight or so months, cross country fans around the nation have been counting down the days until the beginning of the 2025 season, and after months of build-up, I'm happy to say it's finally here.
Obviously, the return of the cross country season means it's time for the return of the National Performer of the Week.
The National Performer of the Week poll will close at 5 p.m. CT on Thursday, August 28, and the winner will be announced shortly after.
Take a look at five of the top-performing boys from this past weekend.
This Week's Nominees:
Marcelo Mantecon, Belen Jesuit Prep (Fla.): The superstar junior is back like he never left, breaking the tape as he led Belen Jesuit Prep to another big-time win. At the Cecil Field Summer Classic, Mantecon was the lone boy to run sub-15, stopping the clock at 14:50, unsurprisingly a new course and meet record. This marks the second consecutive year the junior has been the man to beat in Jacksonville.
Mick Temple, Pickerington North (Ohio): On his home course, the senior didn't run into any issues at the Pickerington North XC Classic, running 15:05 as he won by over 20 seconds. Temple's senior opener was quite the debut, as Temple shaved 16 seconds off of his previous PB he set last September. Temple currently sits atop the season leaderboard and is the fastest boy in Ohio right now.
Aaron Brodrick, Oconee County (Ga.): In the first two races of his senior campaign, Brodrick has been all business. Recently, at the Bob Blastow Invitational, Brodrick took down over 260 competitors, crossing the line with 21 seconds to spare. The senior clocked 15:08.78, which is the third-fastest time in meet history. With one weekend to go in August, Brodrick remains the fastest Georgian, 29 seconds quicker than the next fastest athlete.
Landon Kimmel, Tippecanoe (Ohio): Welcome back to the show, Landon! After having to miss his junior track season, Kimmel is wasting no time getting back into the swing of things. At Saturday Night Lights presented by Nike, Kimmel reminded everyone who he is, stopping the clock at 15:11, nearly 30 seconds before the rest of the field.
Asher Oates, Independence (Tenn.): Out in Florence, Tennessee, at the Brooks High School Tennessee River Classic, the defending TSSAA 3A state champion left nothing up for chance, running 15:09 as he won by just under 40 seconds. Oates was the first of seven Eagles that squeezed their way inside the top-15 finishers, as Oates and company beat out Florence 28-58.