In this second episode of Pending Ratification, Belen Jesuit Prep (FL) junior Marcelo Mantecon talks with host Keenan Gray, discussing his hobbies outside of the sport, his family’s athletic background, the balance between academics and sports, and the rigorous training regimen he follows. Mantecon reflects on his inspirations, including superheroes, and the importance of resilience in overcoming challenges.

Mantecon placed 15th as a sophomore at the 2024 Nike Cross Nationals and entered the 2025 fall season as the top-ranked junior in the country. Mantecon owns PRs of 4:07.28 for 1600m and 8:49.99 for 3200m.

You can follow Mantecon on Instagram at @marcelo.mantecon and keep tabs on his accomplishments at Athletic.

Pending Ratification offers an in-depth look at the stars of track and field and cross country. Hosted by Keenan Gray, the series moves beyond race results and records to explore the experiences, perspectives, and personal stories that shape the athletes at the center of the sport.

Find Pending Ratification on RunnerSpace.com, AthleticTV, youtube.com/runnerspace and your favorite podcast platforms like Spotify & Apple Podcasts.