Mariana Gancedo Ontaneda: Mexico’s Rising Sprint Star

Personal Information

Mariana Gancedo Ontaneda was born on June 29, 2000, making her 24 years old as of 2024. She hails from Veracruz, Mexico, specifically from Boca del Río, and represents one of Mexico’s most promising talents in track and field sprinting.

Educational Background

Mariana is a recent graduate with a degree in Engineering in Innovation and Development from the prestigious Tecnológico de Monterrey (Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education). This interdisciplinary engineering program focuses on developing innovative solutions and fostering entrepreneurial thinking, preparing graduates for leadership roles in technology and business development.

Professional Career

Following her graduation, Mariana has successfully balanced her athletic career with professional pursuits:

• Current Position: Consultant at NTT DATA (a global technology services company)
• Previous Experience: Business Development area member at X Eleva Group
• Recent Career Development: Started the Future Ready trainee program at PwC México, joining the world-renowned consulting firm

Her professional background demonstrates her commitment to leveraging her engineering education in the technology and consulting sectors while maintaining her elite athletic career.

Athletic Specialization and Training

Mariana specializes in sprint events, competing primarily in:

• 200 meters
• 400 meters
• 4x400m relay
• Mixed 4x400m relay

She trains with the Cárdenas Team under the guidance of coach Alejandro Cárdenas, a former Mexican Olympian and World Championships competitor in the 400m. This coaching relationship began in 2024 and has been instrumental in her recent improvements.

Personal Best Performances

Mariana’s current personal bests showcase her exceptional talent:

• 400m: 53.48 seconds (March 23, 2024, Mexico City)
• 200m: 24.44 seconds (February 25, 2024)
• Mixed 4x400m Relay: 3:14.20 (Mexican National Record, April 7, 2024)
• 4x400m Relay: 3:32.96 (April 5, 2024)

Athletic Journey and Career Transition

Mariana’s path to sprinting success involved a significant strategic change. Originally competing in long jump, she made the pivotal decision to transition to the 400m in 2021. As she explained in an interview: “My event change three years ago was transcendental in my career. I switched from long jump to the 400 meters since 2021. It has gone very well with good times.”

Her athletic journey began with a natural talent for running: “I had always liked to run and was one of the fastest in school,” she recalled about her early introduction to athletics.

Major Accomplishments and Honors

National Championships

• 2022 CONADE National Championships:
  • Silver medal in 400m (55.79 seconds)
  • Bronze medal in 200m (24.63 seconds)

International Competition Achievements

2024 World Relays Championships (Bahamas):

• Competed as part of Mexico’s mixed 4x400m relay team
• Team consisting of Luis Antonio Avilés Ferreiro, Valente Mendoza Falcón, Paola Morán Errejón, and Mariana Gancedo Ontaneda
• Achieved a time of 3:19.81 in the repechage round

Record-Breaking Performances:

• Set Mexican National Record in Mixed 4x400m Relay (3:14.20) in April 2024
• This performance helped Mexico qualify for international competitions and maintain world ranking position

National Team Status

Mariana is currently a member of the Mexican national athletics team, representing her country in international competitions. Her selection represents the fulfillment of a childhood dream, as she stated: “It’s a dream to be part of the Mexican senior national team in this relay. Since I was little I had wanted to represent my country in some sport and to be able to wear the Mexico jersey, I am proud of myself.”

Olympic Aspirations

Mariana has been very clear about her ultimate goal: “My dream is to be in an Olympic Games. I am getting closer and closer to achieving it this year.” This Olympic ambition drives her training and competition schedule, with hopes of representing Mexico at future Olympic Games.

Her international competition goals include representing Mexico in:

• Central American Games
• Pan American Games
• World University Games (Universiada Mundial)

Current Training and Development Focus

Under coach Alejandro Cárdenas’ guidance, Mariana has identified specific areas for improvement:

• Closing speed: Working on her finishing kick in races
• Endurance: Building stamina for the demanding 400m distance
• Relay exchanges: Perfecting baton handoffs for relay competitions

Her recent competition schedule has included events in California, USA, regional University Games, World Relays, and Ibero-American Championships in Brazil.

Personal Characteristics and Values

Mariana demonstrates remarkable balance between academic excellence, professional success, and athletic achievement. Her ability to graduate with an engineering degree while competing at the national level showcases her time management skills and dedication.

She has expressed deep pride in representing Mexico: “I am proud of myself” for achieving her goal of wearing the Mexican national team jersey. Her journey from a school-age runner who was “one of the fastest in school” to a national record holder demonstrates her commitment to continuous improvement.

Professional Integration with Athletics

Mariana represents a new generation of student-athletes who successfully integrate elite sports with professional careers. Her roles at major consulting firms like NTT DATA and PwC México demonstrate that she maintains high professional standards while pursuing Olympic-level athletic goals.

Her background in Engineering in Innovation and Development, combined with her experience in business development, positions her well for a successful career beyond athletics while providing the financial stability to support her training.

Future Prospects

At 24 years old, Mariana is entering her prime years as a 400m runner. With her recent improvements under coach Cárdenas and her record-breaking relay performances, she represents one of Mexico’s best hopes for international success in sprinting events.

Her goals include:

• Qualifying for and competing in the Olympic Games
• Continuing to lower her personal bests in individual events
• Contributing to Mexico’s relay success on the international stage
• Advancing her professional career in technology consulting

Legacy and Impact

Mariana Gancedo Ontaneda represents the modern athlete-student-professional, demonstrating that it’s possible to excel in multiple domains simultaneously. Her journey from Veracruz to national team status, combined with her academic and professional achievements, makes her a role model for young Mexican athletes.

Her record-breaking performances and Olympic aspirations continue to inspire the next generation of Mexican sprinters, while her professional success shows that athletic excellence can coexist with career development in the modern era.

Go Mariana!