Riley Novack chalked up another win, this time taking first place in regionals on Friday morning as the Montverde Academy boys' cross country team finished third of 16 teams at the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) regional meet at the Boy Scout Reservation in Brooksville. Meanwhile the girls finished fourth of 13 teams on Friday morning.

On the boys side, Novack was the first overall finisher for the third consecutive time. After finishing first in the Citrus League and FHSAA Districts, Novack won again, finishing first out of 114 runners (16:29.33). Meanwhile Colton Cardwell nailed a top ten finish as the second top finisher for the Eagles (17:26.63). Will Moss finished third for MVA and 17th overall (18:02), while Cooper Shaban was fourth for the Eagles and 19th overall (18:07.82). Anthony Picciano round out the scoring five for the Eagles while finishing 25th overall (18:23.77).

Salvatore Scelfo also competed and finished 47th overall (19:21.83), while Laven Parker was 95th overall (22:54.51).

Overall, the boys scored 72, while Lake Highland Prep won the invitational with a 52.

On the girls' side, Carly McNatt was the top finisher for the Eagles, while finishing in fifth place overall of 90 runners (19:55.40). Teammate Michelle Smith was second for MVA and ninth overall (20:44.38), while Natalie Nesmith was third for MVA and 31st overall (22:47.44). Lyla McMillen was fourth for the Eagles and 36th overall (22:58.95), while rounding out the scoring five was Isabella Kissler who was 61st overall (24:38.34).

Leigh Anna Waters also competed and finished 69th (25:26.17), while Shivani Patel was 72nd overall (25:54.46) for MVA.

The Eagles finished fourth overall as a team with 135 points. Mount Dora High School won the regional as a team with 40 points.

Up next for the cross country teams is the FHSAA state championship on Saturday, November 5 at Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee.