Montverde, Fla. (November 11, 2026) – A breakthrough finish on the championship stage has earned Montverde Academy girls cross country runner Lyla McMillen Student-Athlete of the Week honors for the week ending November 8.
McMillen captured the first individual cross country victory of her high school career on November 4, finishing first among 77 runners at the FHSAA Class 2A District 3 Championship at Sand Hill Scout Reservation in Brooksville. She crossed the finish line in 19:54.30, helping lead the Eagles to their first girls cross country district team championship since 2020.
For McMillen, who has represented MVA since middle school, the district title adds another milestone to a career marked by steady progress and valuable contributions to the Eagles.
She has been MVA's top finisher in all five meets this season. Before her district championship performance, McMillen placed sixth among 130 runners at the Hawks Last Chance Invitational in a season-best 19:34.2.
Her success this fall builds on an outstanding 2025 campaign. McMillen finished fifth at regionals and 16th among 243 runners at the FHSAA State Championship, clocking 19:15 at the state meet as MVA earned ninth place in the team standings. She also recorded a time of 19:08.50 at last year's Hawks Last Chance Invitational.
McMillen's impact extends to the track, where she is a member of an MVA girls track & field program that has won state championships in two of the past three years. She has contributed to numerous district and regional-championship-winning 4x800-meter relay teams.
This marks McMillen's second Student-Athlete of the Week selection. She previously received the honor as an eighth grader in 2023.
From her early seasons in an Eagles uniform to her first individual district championship, McMillen continues to give MVA plenty to celebrate.
**The Montverde Academy Student-Athlete of the Week award is sponsored by the 2026-27 Montverde Academy Booster Club.
About Montverde Academy:
Montverde Academy is a private, independent college preparatory school for grades Pre-K3 through post-graduate studies, with a boarding program serving grades 7-12 representing 70+ nationalities. Our mission is to inspire students to become knowledgeable leaders with global vision and passion for learning, in a disciplined and diverse community that nurtures character development. For more information, visit us online at Montverde.org and at MVASports.com.
