Boys cross country runner Will Moss dominated the boys race, winning by over 65 seconds as the Montverde Academy boys and girls cross country teams had strong showings at the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) District Championship on Thursday morning in Spring Hill.

Moss claimed the boys individual title for the second consecutive year, crossing the finish line in 15:56.67. He won by more than a minute over the runner-up, who finished in 17:01.89. Last year, Moss captured the district championship with a time of 17:09.12. Fellow boys cross country runner Salvatore Scelfo finished eighth overall in 17:52.14, contributing to a strong team performance.

With his individual victory, Moss earns an automatic qualifier into the regional championship next Thursday at Holloway Park in Lakeland.

On the girls side, Montverde Academy finished second out of eight schools, led by Alafair Scelfo, who placed fourth overall in 20:36.85. Federica Perez was right behind in fifth place with a time of 21:01.21. Lyla McMillen was third for the Eagles and tenth overall in 21:25.51, followed by Amaris Munya in 17th (23:02.00) and Alon Scelfo in 23rd (23:21.59). Additional competitors for MVA included Nikita Verma (40th, 26:11.82), Isabella Kissler (48th, 28:02.52), and Riya Gupta (49th, 28:02.68). Their collective performance earned the girls team a bid to the regional championship next Thursday.

Both teams will look to carry their momentum into the regional championship, where they will face some of the state's top programs at Holloway Park next Thursday, November 13 with the girls race at 9:25 am, followed by the boys race at 9:50 am.