WOLVERINES DOMINATE NIKE INDOOR NATIONALS

3/23/2026
CJ Cristobal ’16 | Communications Specialist

On March 12, 2026, four Belen Jesuit Varsity Track and Field runners made the trip to Nike Indoor Nationals at The Armory in New York, NY. Competing as Miami Havana, Armando Cruz ’27, Marcelo Mantecón ’27, Jack Michalak ’28, and Carlos Benítez ’29 put the nation on notice that Belen Jesuit Track and Field is a program that produces world-class athletes.

On March 12, Marcelo Mantecón ’27 won the 5000m Championship with a time of 13:57.94, setting a meet record and becoming the new #1 time in the country for 2026. The following day, Marcelo captured the Championship in the two-mile with a time of 8:48.02, which ranks third in the country. “Being a National Champion is amazing,” said Mantecón, “but it also pushes me to work even harder, knowing there's a target on my back.” Mantecón rounded out the weekend by winning the One-mile Championship with a time of 4:00.66, a meet record and national indoor junior class record.

On March 14, Jack Michalak ’28 placed third in the 800m Championship with a time of 1:51.32. This powerful performance by Jack makes him the fastest Sophomore in the nation for this event. “Representing Belen on the big stage is an honor, because I get to represent the place that shaped me into a man for others,” said Michalak. “It means carrying our mottos and values with me, so those who haven’t experienced it can see the dedication behind what we do. When I’m on the big stage, I know I’m not there alone, but with an entire community behind me.”

Finally, the group won the Distance Medley Relay Championship with a time of 9:74.01. This was a great triumph for the program as it set the new National Scholastic Record. This record stands out as not just a personal achievement for our Wolverines, but as a testament to the brotherhood and teamwork that are the cornerstone of our student-athletes' training.

The Wolverines return home with a trophy case full of hardware but remain focused on the rest of the season as they look to become back-to-back state champions.