Two teams. Two individual champions. One championship sweep for Montverde Academy cross country.
The MVA boys and girls cross country teams captured FHSAA district championships at Sand Hill Scout Reservation in Brooksville on Wednesday morning, bringing both programs back to the top of the district standings. The boys earned their first district title since 2021, while the girls claimed their first since 2020.
Leading the charge were two individual champions with different milestones to celebrate: Senior Will Moss from the boys team continued his championship run with a third consecutive district crown, while junior Lyla McMillen from the girls team raced to the first individual victory of her career.
McMillen's Breakthrough Leads Girls to Championship
For McMillen, years of consistency produced a championship moment.
A steady presence in the Eagles' lineup since middle school, McMillen crossed the finish line first among 77 runners in 19:54.30. Now an 11th grader, she adds an individual district championship to her MVA career while helping the Eagles finish first in the nine-team field.
McMillen had plenty of support near the front too. Amaris Munya finished third overall in 20:13.76, and Angelica Wolfe placed sixth in 21:36.50, giving MVA three runners among the top six.
Alafair Scelfo followed in ninth place at 22:14.55, while twin sister Alon Scelfo rounded out the Eagles' five scorers with a 12th-place finish in 22:48.14. All five MVA scorers finished among the top 12.
Federica Perez finished close behind in 13th place at 22:50.48, and Nikita Verma placed 45th in 27:52.20.
Together, the Eagles delivered the program's first district championship in six years.
Moss Makes It Three Straight as Boys Reclaim District Crown
Will Moss knows the way to the district championship finish line.
The defending district, regional and state champion won his third consecutive individual district title, leading the field of 92 runners in 16:10.09. His latest victory helped power MVA to first place among 11 teams and its first district championship in five years.
Torr Scelfo joined Moss near the front, finishing third overall in 17:47.37 to give the Eagles two of the race's top three runners.
Nicoles Ardigo was MVA's third finisher, placing 13th overall in 18:59.68. Jason Metzger followed in 24th place at 19:39.64, while Jared Bridgewater completed the Eagles' scoring lineup with a 41st-place finish in 21:05.43.
The championship marked a return to the top for the boys program, with Moss' individual three-peat highlighting a team effort that brought the district trophy back to MVA.
Next Stop: Regionals
With their district championships, both MVA teams earned automatic berths in the FHSAA regional championship meet on Saturday, November 14, at New Smyrna Beach High School in New Smyrna Beach.
The Eagles will head to regionals with two team titles, two individual champions and plenty of momentum.
