FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 9, 2026
Southlake Carroll High School
Cross Country Season Outlook:
Dragon Harriers Seek to Maintain Historic Winning Streak
Southlake, TX – Hundreds of north Texas miles covered before sunrise this summer is how the Dragon and Lady Dragon Cross Country athletes and coaches spent their 2026 summer preparing for the upcoming season. The young men and women of Southlake Carroll High School are set to defend the tradition of one of the most heralded distance programs in the nation. Despite the loss of the most decorated high school athletes in Texas history to graduation on the men’s side with Caden Leonard heading off to the University of North Carolina and one of the best Lady Dragons in school history Luna Gutierrez also on her way to Emory University, both teams still continue to look tremendous.
The boys are led by Junior Kai Gutierrez (8:56 in the 3200m) who placed 12th at Nike Cross Country Nationals as a mere sophomore as well as breakout superstar Seniors Claudio Auns (1:52 in the 800m, 4:14 in the 1600m) and Jaxon Glenn (1:55 in the 800m and 4:18 in the 1600m). This year’s senior class may be the strongest Carroll has ever assembled but will not be outdone by a competitive Junior and Sophomore group of runners. The team returns a full five performers from the 2025 varsity group which placed 4th in the nation in Portland, Oregan last December.
At the August 8th Southlake 1600m time trial this talent was on full display: North Texas 1600 - Aug 8, 2026 | NTX Timing. The depth proved that the DyeStat summer national rankings of #2 in the United States prep level may be more accurate then some believe: DyeStat XC RANKINGS - News - Mid-Summer Boys Top 10 XC Rankings 2026. The top five boys averaged a jaw-dropping 4:20 with Caludio Auns setting the tone with a win at 4:14 while the top ten averaged 4:28 despite Kai Gutierrez not competing this week. This stands as the fastest early season start in program history due to the excellent performances of Senior Jaxon Glenn (4:19), Adhaven Palanivelrajan (4:22), Senior Evan O’Donnell (4:22), Senior Grant Norgart (4:26), Junior Alban D’Souza (4:27), Nathan Calvert (4:27) and Yates Eddins (4:27). These boys along with a handful of sophomores will be seeking their 8th straight state UIL championship and record 18th qualification for NXN.
“We’re really excited about the way our runners competed yesterday at the Southlake 1600. The results showed the depth of our team and reflected the work they’ve put in throughout the summer. We’re excited about what this group can accomplish this season and can’t wait to be a part of the journey with them.” Head Coach Justin Leonard said.
On the Lady Dragon side, the team anticipates huge leadership from three seniors who set the tone in the 2026 track season. Senior Grace Mcilvain moved from a promising competitor to a national caliber superstar breaking the school record in the 800 meters at 2:10 and flying to just a hair away from breaking the taunting 5 minute mile barrier in her junior campaign. Right with her all track season was her running mate Abigail Perez whose leg speed propelled her to marks of sub 11 minutes in the 3200m, the sub 5 minute mile and a very competitive 800m under 2:20. Also of note is a girl with another strong pedigree in Megan Bergman who is also a sub 11 two miler. These three ladies are at the helm of a strong senior class that also includes Quinn Salstand and Landry Lambert as potential scorers. Right on their heels will be the two sophomore athletes, Evangeline Severson and Nora Farden who both opened up the XC season with mid 5 minute marks in the 1600m. The Lady Dragons placed 2nd in district last year to powerhouse Byron Nelson High but look to not just podium but win it all in 2026.
North Texas and the DFW region is considered to be one of the epicenters of all prep distance running in the United States so this season will be quite competitive on both sides yet if Coach Leonard’s resume tells us anything it is to never bet against Dragon XC. Your next chance to cheer on these hard working young athletes will be on August 29th at the annual Southlake Carroll XC 2 Mile Invitational at Bob Jones Park at 6:45am: Southlake 2-Mile XC - Meet Info - Cross Country Meet