News

Southlake Carroll Captures XC District Title as Gutierrez and Perez Take Individual Crowns

SouthlakeCarrollXC — Thu, 15 Oct 2026 23:00:17 Z

Southlake Carroll XC Captures District Title as Gutierrez and Perez Take Individual Crowns; Lady Dragons Finish Second

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 15, 2026

Kai Gutierrez Claims District Crown, Abigail Perez Produces Dramatic Comeback Victory, and Carroll's Depth Shines Across All Four Races in the Fastest District in the Nation

SOUTHLAKE, Texas Championship season opened in impressive fashion for the Southlake Carroll High School cross country program as the Dragons captured the District 4-6A championship while the Lady Dragons narrowly missed a team title by just three points. Junior Kai Gutierrez and senior Abigail Perez earned individual championships, while Carroll's varsity and junior varsity squads produced dominant performances that showcased the depth and culture that have defined Dragon XC.

District 4-6A once again lived up to its reputation as one of the strongest and deepest districts in Texas, bringing together state and nationally relevant programs. Against that level of competition including the #25 team nationally in Keller High on the boys side and an always dominant Keller and Byron Nelson girls squads, Carroll opened the postseason with championship-caliber performances throughout the lineup.

The results were the culmination of months of preparation and disciplined hard work. Since late May, the Dragons and Lady Dragons have gathered before sunrise, balancing Texas heat, fatigue, and the demands of a rigorous academic schedule. That investment was visible throughout the meet as Carroll earned two individual champions, three team championships, and one narrow varsity runner-up finish while beginning the most important portion of the season.

Coach Leonard stated, Im proud of the way our athletes competed across all four races today. These performances reflect the work theyve put in since late May and the way they push and support one another every day. Kai and Abigail showed tremendous poise and toughness to earn individual titles. Our boys executed well as a team, and our girls battled all the way to the finish in a very close championship race. Winning both JV titles also speaks to the depth of this program and the commitment of our runners. This is a strong start to championship season, and well keep working to be better as we prepare for regionals.

Boys Varsity 5K Dragons Capture District Championship

The boys race unfolded strategically from the start, with roughly 15 to 20 runners still in contention near the midpoint of the race before the field gradually separated. On a slightly longer course than usual, the performances throughout the field particularly impressive. Bob Jones is known for quick fast pace races yet todays was meant for strategy, grit, and perseverance.

Junior Kai Gutierrez delivered a masterclass performance, winning the District title in 15:23.30 gliding through the last half mile. Senior Claudio Auns followed closely in second with a 15:27.40, while senior Evan O'Donnell and West Point commit senior Jaxon Jax Glenn finished sixth and seventh. Senior Grant Norgart added an eighth-place finish as Carroll placed five runners in the top ten and scored 24 points to defeat a powerful Keller squad.

For Gutierrez, the victory marked his first individual District championship and represented a passing of the torch at the front of the Carroll lineup from All American and now North Carolia Tarheal runner Caden Leonard. The previous three District 4-6A individual championships belonged Leonard, one of the most accomplished distance runners in Texas high school history. Gutierrez now becomes the latest Dragon to continue that tradition. The team championship represented the first step toward Carroll's primary objective: pursuit of an eighth consecutive UIL state team championship.

Girls Varsity 5K Perez Rallies for Individual Crown

The Lady Dragons were led by one of the defining performances of the District Championships as senior Abigail Perez captured the individual title in 18:02.21.

Entering the final 400 meters in third place, Perez relied on the middle-distance speed that has established her as one of Texas' premier 800-meter and 1600-meter athletes, unleashing a powerful finishing kick to surge into the lead and secure the championship for her team. The victory capped a remarkable comeback over the closing stages of the race and produced a performance expected to rank among the top 50 girls' 5K performances nationally on MileSplit this season.

Senior Grace McIlvain finished a strong eighth in 18:40.10, while senior Megan Bergman placed ninth in 18:42.00. Seniors Landry Lambert and Quinn Salstrand, along with junior Kameron Dukes, completed the scoring lineup as Carroll finished second by only three points. The squad had one of their best overall team performances of the year.

The Lady Dragons scored 50 points to Keller's 47, with the outcome remaining undecided until the final scorers crossed the line. Despite the narrow margin, the performance represented another major step forward following the team's breakthrough podium finish at the Chile Pepper Festival and reinforced Carroll's position among Texas' strongest girls programs entering the remainder of championship season. They are peaking at the exact correct time.

Senior Grace McIlvain and senior Abigail Perez continue to provide leadership for a veteran group that has helped elevate the program while mentoring the next generation of Lady Dragons.

Boys JV 5K Historic Depth on Display

The boys JV race provided one of the strongest demonstrations of depth in Carroll program history and reinforced why the Dragons continue to be one of the deepest programs in the country. It is not since 2022 on a JV team which had four future collegiate runners that the boys side had this many harriers of this level.

Junior Ryan Kovach captured the JV title in 16:30.80, followed immediately by sophomore Aadi Ghanchi in second and freshman Gia-Bao To in third. Sophomore Nolan Nelson closed hard in a fifth-place finish as Carroll produced a near-perfect team score. With it hard to compare with previous years due to minor course and condition variances, the obvious depth will protect the tradition for Coach Leonard.

Senior Nathan Calvert finished sixth and senior Jack Swadish placed seventh as Carroll claimed five of the first seven positions. These two have provided much leadership and mentorship to the rest of the JV boys all year investing in the programs future. In what is widely regarded as the fastest district in the region and arguably the nation, only one non-Carroll athlete prevented a complete sweep of the top five positions.

The Dragons scored just 17 points, improving upon last year's District-winning total of 19 points and producing one of the most dominant JV performances in recent program history. The performance highlighted the remarkable depth behind the varsity lineup and reinforced why Dragon XC remains one of the deepest programs in the country.

Girls JV 5K Future Lady Dragons Make a Statement

The growth of the Lady Dragons over the final weeks of the season was one of the most encouraging storylines of the championship meet.

Junior Megan Saban claimed the JV District championship in 20:06.20, leading a remarkable Carroll sweep of the first four places. Sophomore Kiley Craven finished second, freshman Karlie Cox placed third, and senior Gwendolyn Asher took fourth. These four ran as a pack from the gun and continued the green wave seen across all divisions on the day. Freshman Lauren Batten completed the scoring five in 11th place as Carroll secured the JV District championship with 21 points.

The dominant 1-2-3-4 finish showcased a wave of emerging talent positioned to make significant contributions to future Carroll cross country and track teams. Their emergence, combined with the leadership of the current varsity athletes, points to a bright future for the Lady Dragons.

Next Up: UIL Region I Championships at Mae Simmons Park

With District Championships complete, Carroll now turns its attention to the UIL Region 1 Cross Country Championships at Mae Simmons Park in Lubbock on Monday, October 26, 2026. Region 1 serves as the qualifying meet for the UIL State Cross Country Championships. The 6A girls race begins at 9:00 a.m., followed by the 6A boys at 9:30 a.m. The boys continue their pursuit of an eighth consecutive state title, while both varsity teams look to carry their momentum deeper into the championship season.

Southlake Carroll District 4-6A Individual Results

Carroll Varsity Boys (5K)

Team Rank	Athlete	Overall Place	Time
1	Kai Gutierrez (Junior)	1st	15:23.30
2	Claudio Auns (Senior)	2nd	15:27.40
3	Evan O'Donnell (Senior)	6th	15:37.21
4	Jaxon Jax Glenn (Senior)	7th	15:39.30
5	Grant Norgart (Senior)	8th	15:45.40
6	Adhavan Palanivelrajan (Senior)	10th	15:55.90
7	Cameron Perez (Sophomore)	18th	16:25.40

Carroll Varsity Girls (5K)

Team Rank	Athlete	Overall Place	Time
1	Abigail Perez (Senior)	1st	18:02.21
2	Grace McIlvain (Senior)	8th	18:40.10
3	Megan Bergman (Senior)	9th	18:42.00
4	Landry Lambert (Senior)	15th	19:07.40
5	Kameron Dukes (Junior)	17th	19:16.40
6	Quinn Salstrand (Senior)	21st	19:26.40
7	Nora Farden (Sophomore)	22nd	19:29.30

Carroll JV Boys (5K)

Team Rank	Athlete	Overall Place	Time
1	Ryan Kovach (Junior)	1st	16:30.80
2	Aadi Ghanchi (Sophomore)	2nd	16:42.70
3	Gia-Bao To (Freshman)	3rd	16:42.90
4	Nolan Nelson (Sophomore)	5th	16:53.40
5	Nathan Calvert (Senior)	6th	17:06.70
6	Jack Swadish (Senior)	7th	17:19.10
7	Ashwin Sathy (Sophomore)	9th	17:31.40

Carroll JV Girls (5K)

Team Rank	Athlete	Overall Place	Time
1	Megan Saban (Junior)	1st	20:06.20
2	Kiley Craven (Sophomore)	2nd	20:11.00
3	Karlie Cox (Freshman)	3rd	20:14.00
4	Gwendolyn Asher (Senior)	4th	20:29.70
5	Lauren Batten (Freshman)	11th	21:05.90
6	Sophie Mahendra (Sophomore)	12th	21:16.30
7	Annalise Bell (Senior)	21st	22:06.40

Southlake Carroll Lady Dragons Podium at Historic Chile Pepper Festival

SouthlakeCarrollXC — Sat, 03 Oct 2026 21:19:29 Z

Southlake Carroll Lady Dragons Deliver Breakthrough Podium Performance at Historic Chile Pepper Festival

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

October 3, 2026

Lady Dragons Storm to Third in Massive 108-Team Field; JV Boys Showcase Remarkable Depth Against 137 Teams

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. Southlake Carroll High Schools varsity girls delivered a tremendous breakthrough at the 39^th Annual Chile Pepper Festival today, surging to third place out of a massive 108-team field with 318 points and a season-best 18:44 team average. The podium finish marked the Lady Dragons strongest team performance of the season and a major statement as championship season arrived. Abigail Perez set the tone in 17:54.8, and Carroll backed that front-running performance with a powerful scoring pack. The JV boys provided another powerful measure of the programs depth, placing 20th in a massive 137-team field while competing against varsity lineups, with Ryan Kovach leading Carroll in 15:54.2.

Head Coach Justin Leonard stated Our girls put together their most complete race of the season, and Im proud of the way they competed for each other. Abigail set the tone up front, and the pack behind her stepped up to earn a podium finish against a tremendous field. Our JV boys also showed the depth of our program by finishing in the top 20 against varsity competition. This is the momentum we want heading into championship season, but we know theres more work to do. Now our focus turns to preparing for District.

Girls 5K Tremendous Effort Puts Lady Dragons on the Podium in Fayetteville

The Lady Dragons produced the kind of breakthrough race that can redefine a season. In an enormous 108-team field, Carroll rose all the way to third place with 318 points and a season-best 18:44 team average, an outstanding podium finish against one of the deepest fields the team had faced. Senior Abigail Perez led the charge in 17:54.8, Senior Grace McIlvain followed in 18:37.0, and the scoring five of Perez, McIlvain, Landry Lambert, Megan Bergman and Nora Farden combined for 1:33:44. From the front of the lineup through the fifth scorer, Carroll delivered its most complete team race of the season when the stage was at its biggest.

The strength of the performance extended deep into the lineup. Lambert ran 19:01.2, Bergman finished in 19:03.9 and Farden closed the scoring five in 19:07.1. Quinn Salstrand followed in 19:24.0, giving Carroll six total runners under 19:25. That combination of front-end strength and a tightly packed group behind Perez gave the Lady Dragons the depth needed to climb onto the podium in a field of 108 teams.

Third place represented far more than another strong invitational finish. It was a tremendous step forward for the Lady Dragons, a season-best team performance delivered at exactly the right time, entering championship season. Carroll left Fayetteville with a podium finish, a new season-best average and unmistakable momentum heading into the championship phase of the season.

Boys 5K JV Dragons Showcase Remarkable Depth Against 137-Team Varsity Field

Carrolls JV boys delivered an impressive demonstration of the programs depth, placing 20th in a massive 137-team field while racing against varsity competition. The significance was in who Carroll sent to the line: a JV lineup that still finished among the top 20 teams in an enormous varsity field. Ryan Kovach led the Dragons with a 15:54.2 performance, giving the JV group a strong front-running effort on a stage filled with varsity lineups.

What made the result especially impressive was the depth behind Carrolls varsity seven. Behind Ryan Kovachs 15:54.2, Aadi Ghanchi ran 16:20.1, Gia-Bao To finished in 16:25.0 and Nathan Calvert followed in 16:37.7. Jack Swadish ran 16:41.2, Nolan Nelson finished in 16:48.3 and Yates Eddins completed the seven in 17:48.8. For a JV group to compete that successfully in a field of that size against varsity teams underscored the remarkable depth Carroll carries into championship season which they will need to tap into when this record breaking class of 2027 graduates.

Next Up: October 15 Showdown at Bob Jones Park

Everything now points to October 15. Carroll returns home to Bob Jones Park in Southlake for a District 4-6A showdown that opens the postseason for both programs. The Lady Dragons arrive with their strongest momentum of the season after a tremendous third-place finish among 108 teams at Chile Pepper and a season-best 18:44 team average. That breakthrough performance showed just how high Carrolls ceiling can be as the stakes rise. For the boys, the pursuit of an eighth straight state title begins through the fastest district in the country, as they come off the victory at the 2026 Woodbridge Invitational. Keller and Byron Nelson await. On October 15, the road to November runs through Southlake.

Southlake Carroll Chile Pepper Festival Individual Results

Carroll Varsity Girls Finishers (5K)

Team Rank	Athlete	Overall Place	Time
1	Abigail Perez (Senior)	21st	17:54.8
2	Grace McIlvain (Senior)	50th	18:37.0
3	Landry Lambert (Senior)	77th	19:01.2
4	Megan Bergman (Senior)	81st	19:03.9
5	Nora Farden (Sophomore)	89th	19:07.1
6	Quinn Salstrand (Senior)	120th	19:24.0

Carroll JV Boys Finishers (Varsity 5K Race)

Team Rank	Athlete	Overall Place	Time
1	Ryan Kovach (Junior)	90th	15:54.2
2	Aadi Ghanchi (Sophomore)	160th	16:20.1
3	Gia-Bao To (Freshman)	182nd	16:25.0
4	Nathan Calvert (Senior)	233rd	16:37.7
5	Jack Swadish (Senior)	251st	16:41.2
6	Nolan Nelson (Sophomore)	290th	16:48.3
7	Yates Eddins (Junior)	585th	17:48.8

Dragon XC Wins FirstEver Woodbridge Sweepstakes Title; Kai Gutierrez Takes 2nd

SouthlakeCarrollXC — Sun, 20 Sep 2026 17:04:26 Z

Southlake Carroll Dragon XC Wins FirstEver Woodbridge Sweepstakes Title; Kai Gutierrez Takes Historic 2nd Overall Finish with Fastest Carroll Mark Ever

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 19, 2026

Boys Capture FirstEver Woodbridge Sweepstakes Title; Girls Place 23rd With 531 Points Against Elite National Field

Irvine, CA On a cool California evening under the lights at the historic Woodbridge Cross Country Classic, the Southlake Carroll Dragons delivered one of the strongest national statements of the 2026 season. Racing in the prestigious Sweepstakes Division, the Dragons, ranked #2 in the nation, stormed to the team title, defeating several nationally ranked programs including Herriman, San Clemente, Coeur dAlene, and Crater, four of the most respected distance programs in the country. The overall team time and strategic race implemented cemented the win for the boys.

This marks the first time in school history that Southlake Carroll has won the Woodbridge Invitational Sweepstakes race, placing the Dragons place among nations all time elite squads. Carroll XC is considered one of the most storied and successful programs in the nation, yet this may be one of the most talented teams Coach Leonard has ever assembled. With this momentum, the boys now turn their focus toward seeking an unprecedented eighth straight Texas UIL 6A state championship, a streak unmatched in state history. The girls, meanwhile, aim to return to the national stage in Portland after a twoyear hiatus, a goal that has fueled their training and unified their mission throughout the season. Three Lady Dragons broke the 18 minute barrier yet they hope to shore up their depth when championship season comes.

Coach Leanard stated This was a special night for our program and an incredible accomplishment for our boys. Winning our first Woodbridge Sweepstakes title against a field of this caliber speaks to their talent, preparation, and belief in one another. They competed fearlessly, stayed committed to our race plan, and ran for something bigger than themselves. I am also proud of the way our girls put themselves in the race and competed against one of the strongest fields in the nation. We learned a great deal from this experience, and both teams understand that there is still a lot of work ahead as we prepare for the championship portion of our season.

Boys Sweepstakes 5K A National Statement

The Dragons wasted no time asserting themselves on the national stage. Senior Claudio Auns surged to the front immediately, leading the entire field through the first half mile and setting a blistering tone for the race. The Carroll front pack rocketed through that opening mile below 4:40, lighting the course on fire with top tier competition in tow. Behind Auns, Kai Gutierrez and Jaxon Glenn locked into the lead group, giving Carroll three athletes in the front pack as the race settled into rhythm. At mile one, four Dragons were in the top 30.

Gutierrezs move after the mile marker was decisive. He pressed the pace and broke away from the chase pack, ultimately finishing 2nd overall in 13:40 with an even 4:33 mile pace securing the highest individual finish ever recorded by a Dragon at the Woodbridge Sweepstakes race. Jaxon Glenn, United States Military Academy commit, delivered a breakthrough performance, placing 43rd overall in 14:22 to finish 2nd on the team, marking a major step forward for the senior. Senior Grant Norgart followed in 45th with a composed 14:24, while senior Claudio Auns stormed to a 54^th place in 14:29. Senior Adhavan Palanivelrajan delivered a strong 14:32 to secure the fifth scoring position with a 61stplace finish, and senior Evan ODonnell added a 14:41 for 80th. Rounding out the team, Sophomore Cameron Perez ended in a 124thplace finish.

With Gutierrez (2nd), Glenn (43rd), Norgart (45th), Auns (54th), and Palanivelrajan (61st), the Dragons produced a 41second team spread and a combined 15 time that ranks as the thirdfastest ever recorded on this course in the 45year history of the meet. Their cohesion, combined with aggressive early positioning, powered Southlake Carroll to 140 points, securing the firstever Woodbridge Sweepstakes team title in school history and defeating one of the deepest national fields of the season.

Girls Sweepstakes 5K 23rd Place Against Elite National Field

The Lady Dragons approached the Woodbridge stage with equal determination, delivering one of their strongest collective efforts of the season. Senior Abigail Perez opened her season with a major breakthrough, placing 61st overall in 17:06 and providing a muchawaited season debut that immediately boosted the teams scoring strength. Her performance set the tone for a strong Carroll showing. They put it all on the line sitting in 11^th place at the mile mark yet the depth of the field then began to take shape.

Senior Grace McIlvain followed closely, placing 88th overall in 17:26. Senior Landry Lambert added a 140thplace finish in 17:54, while sophomore Nora Farden delivered an 18:10 performance for 158th. Junior KC Dukes closed out the scoring five with an 18:23 finish for 175th, helping secure a 23rdplace team finish with 531 points against one of the strongest national fields of the season.

The Lady Dragons blend of senior leadership and rising underclass talent continues to define their 2026 campaign and strengthens their push to return to the national championship course in Portland.

Next Up

The Dragons return home to prepare for the Byron Nelson Invitational on Saturday, September 26th, where both junior varsity squads will continue sharpening race rhythm and building toward the championship phase of the season. The varsity teams are back in action at another national caliber meet, the Arkansas Chili Pepper Festival in Fayetteville on October 3^rd.

Southlake Carroll Woodbridge Invitational Sweepstakes Results

Top Boys Finishers (Sweepstakes 5K)

Team Rank	Athlete	Overall Place	Time
1	Kai Gutierrez (Junior)	2nd	13:40
2	Jaxon Glenn (Senior)	43rd	14:22
3	Grant Norgart (Senior)	45th	14:24
4	Claudio Auns (Senior)	54th	14:29
5	Adhavan Palanivelrajan (Senior)	61st	14:32
6	Evan ODonnell (Senior)	80th	14:41
7	Cameron Perez (Sophomore)	124th	14:57

Top Girls Finishers (Sweepstakes 5K)

Team Rank	Athlete	Overall Place	Time
1	Abigail Perez (Senior)	61st	17:06
2	Grace McIlvain (Senior)	88th	17:26
3	Landry Lambert (Senior)	140th	17:54
4	Nora Farden (Sophomore)	158th	18:10
5	KC Dukes (Junior)	175th	18:23
6	Megan Bergman (Senior)	195th	18:32
7	Quinn Salstrand (Senior)	201st	18:34

Carroll Cross Country Rolls through Ray Braswell Meet with JV Teams

SouthlakeCarrollXC — Sat, 19 Sep 2026 13:39:00 Z

Southlake Carroll Dragon XC Competes at Ray Braswell Invitational With Junior Varsity Squads

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 17, 2026

Junior Varsity Teams Display Depth of Talent as Boys Win With 36 Points; Lady Dragons Place 6th With 165 at North Lakes Park; Sophomore Aadi Ghanchi Leads the Way

Denton, TX The Southlake Carroll Dragon Cross Country program split forces this week as the Junior Varsity squad traveled to North Lakes Park in Denton for the annual Ray Braswell Invitational, while the Varsity team departed for Irvine, California to take on the best programs in the nation at the historic Woodbridge Invitational. Led by junior Kai Gutierrez, ranked top 20 nationally, and supported by a front pack that has propelled the Dragons to a #2 national team ranking, the Varsity group will face elite competition on one of the fastest courses in the country. The Lady Dragons, ranked top five in Texas in UIL 6A, also look to gain valuable experience at the national meet.

With the Varsity group competing out of state, the Braswell Invitational offered a prime opportunity for Carrolls emerging athletes to showcase the depth that continues to define the program. The Dragons were dominant, winning the boys team title with 36 points against a field of 34 varsity teams, while the Lady Dragons earned a strong 6thplace finish with 165 points. To beat any Varsity level competition is tremendous, but to win an invitational with almost 3 dozen local teams is unprecedented.

Thursdays race highlighted the rising talent within the program, as sophomore Aadi Ghanchi, freshman GiaBao To, and sophomore Nolan Nelson led a group of underclassmen who continue to stack impressive 5K personal bests. On the girls side, multiple athletes delivered seasonbest marks, including several breaking the 20minute barrier.

I could not be prouder of the way our runners competed today. Winning a varsity-level invitational against 34 teams with our junior varsity boys speaks volumes about the depth of our program and the work these athletes put in every day. Our girls also competed extremely well, with several personal and season-best performances. This meet gave our younger runners an opportunity to step forward, and they proved that the future of Carroll Cross Country is very bright, said Head Coach Justin Leonard.

Boys Varsity 5K Dragons Dominate a 34Team Field

The Dragons delivered one of the most commanding Junior Varsity victories in recent program history, overwhelming a field of 34 teams with a 36point performance. Carrolls front pack surged to the lead early and never relinquished control, producing a 2381013 scoring spread that no other program could match. The groups 16:11 team average and tight 21second spread underscored both the discipline and depth that continue to define the Dragons developmental tiers. At the mile mark well under 5 minutes, Dargons held 3 of the top 6 spots and never let the field back into contention.

Sophomore Aadi Ghanchi set the tone with a powerful runnerup finish in 16:01 missing the win by a mere 3 seconds, followed closely by freshman GiaBao To in 3rd at 16:04. Sophomore Nolan Nelson added a top10 finish in 16:15, while junior Ryan Kovach and senior Nathan Calvert locked down the scoring positions with 11th and 14thplace efforts. Many of these marks place the boys in the top 50 all time at Carroll for their grade level and give hope that the tradition will be protected in the years to come.

Senior Jack Swadish placed in a valiant 22nd place with a strong showing as the teams sixth man, while his brother, sophomore Cole Swadish, was part of a pack of four runners in the JV section to break 18 minutes. They dominated the JV field with a low score of 34. Joining him in the sub18 group were sophomore Ashwin Sathy, junior Pritam Kunreddy, and sophomore Nolan Chitwood, further demonstrating the depth and momentum building within the program.

Girls Varsity 5K Emerging Talent Steps Forward

The Lady Dragons Varsity squad delivered a competitive showing against a deep field, placing 6th overall with 165 points. Sophomore Kiley Craven led the team with a strong 19thplace finish in 19:53, followed closely by junior Megan Saban in 21st at 19:54. Senior Gwendolyn Asher continued her steady progression, placing 27th in 20:19, while freshman Lauren Batten added a 43rdplace finish in 20:54. Sophomore Sophie Mahendra completed the scoring five in 54th with a time of 21:25. Carrolls depth was further demonstrated by sophomore Lucy Soto and freshman Layla Stark, who finished 62nd and 64th, respectively, helping secure a team average of 20:29 and a tight 1:32 spread.

Next Up

The Dragon varsity team competes on Saturday night at Woodbridge, and the full program reunites next week at the Byron Nelson Invitational on Saturday, September 26^th: Byron Nelson Invitational 2026 - Meet Information. Both squads will continue sharpening race rhythm and building toward the championship phase of the season in October.

Southlake Carroll Braswell Invitational Individual Results:

Top Boys Finishers (Varsity 5K)

Team Rank	Athlete	Overall Place	Time
1	Aadi Ghanchi (Sophomore)	2nd	16:01
2	GiaBao To (Freshman)	3rd	16:04
3	Nolan Nelson (Sophomore)	9th	16:15
4	Ryan Kovach (Junior)	11th	16:16
5	Nathan Calvert (Senior)	14th	16:22
6	Jack Swadish (Senior)	22nd	16:49

Top Girls Finishers (Varsity 5K)

Team Rank	Athlete	Overall Place	Time
1	Kiley Craven (Sophomore)	19th	19:53
2	Megan Saban (Junior)	21st	19:54
3	Gwendolyn Asher (Senior)	27th	20:19
4	Lauren Batten (Freshman)	43rd	20:54
5	Sophie Mahendra (Sophomore)	54th	21:25
6	Lucy Soto (Sophomore)	62nd	21:36
7	Layla Stark (Freshman)	64th	21:37

Southlake Carroll Dragon XC Delivers Major Statement Win at Exclusive Southlake Elite 5K Invite

SouthlakeCarrollXC — Sat, 05 Sep 2026 15:10:14 Z

Southlake Carroll Dragon XC Delivers Major Statement Win at Exclusive Southlake Elite 5K Invitational

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

September 5, 2026

Boys Dominate with Gutierrez Setting the Tone; Lady Dragons Battle to 4th in Loaded MultiState Field in Seasons First 5K RustBuster

Southlake, TX On a warm September morning at Bob Jones Park, the Southlake Carroll Dragon Cross Country program once again reminded the prep distance world why it sits atop the national conversation. In an exclusive, inviteonly elite meet featuring powerhouse programs from Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas, both the Dragons and Lady Dragons toed the line for their first 5K race of the season the annual rustbuster that traditionally reveals earlyseason fitness and sets the tone for the fall. This years Southlake Elite 5K Invitational was restricted to invited, nationally recognized teams, creating one of the most competitive earlyseason meets in the region. Programs from Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas brought elite frontrunners and deep rosters, making Carrolls performances, especially the boys dominant win, even more impressive.

The Dragons, the nations #2 ranked boys team, delivered a commanding performance, scoring a mere 36 points and showcasing a front pack already being talked about as one of the most formidable in the United States. The Senior class are showing the fruits of years of commitment and labor as they placed 5 classmates in the top 6 of the team all in the top 14 of the elite section of the 5k. Not to be outdone, after a scorched earth early lead by Claudio Auns, Junior Kai Gutierrez again took the lead and dominated the field. The Lady Dragons, facing one of the strongest earlyseason fields in the South, fought with trademark grit to secure a 4thplace finish, despite missing star senior Abigail Perez. Senior Grace McIlvain continued her streak of top tier races with an impressive 18:30.

This was a great early-season test against an outstanding field. Our boys showed the strength of their experience and commitment, while our girls competed with tremendous toughness despite not being at full strength. We still have plenty of work ahead, but this performance showed that both teams have the potential to accomplish something special this season. Head Coach Justin Leonard

Boys Varsity Elite 5K A National Statement in the Seasons First 5K

The Dragons front pack Kai Gutierrez, Claudio Auns, Evan ODonnell, and Jaxon Glenn is widely regarded as one of the most elite quartets in the nation, and their 1679 finish only strengthened the case. For a first 5K rustbuster, the performance was nothing short of exceptional.

Junior Kai Gutierrez hammered home the individual title in 14:47, while seniors Auns, ODonnell, and Glenn formed a scoring wall that few teams in America could hope to crack. Senior Adhavan Palanivelrajan and Senior Grant Norgart closed out the scoring with 13th and 14th place finishes, giving Carroll a topfive spread of just 37 seconds.

Several Carroll athletes delivered alltime personal records in the full 5K a clear sign that the summer miles, the culture, and the expectations of Dragon XC continue to produce historic results. With Junior Alban DSouza awaiting his season debut and several young athletes starting to reap the benefits of the Carroll training and competition, we may see even more record setting performances by the team this fall.

Girls Varsity Elite 5K Grit, Growth, and a TopFour Finish Without Their Star Senior

The Lady Dragons placed 4th with 111 points, led by senior Grace McIlvain, who finished 11th overall in 18:30. Carrolls scoring pack McIlvain, Dukes, Farden, Lambert, and Salstrand delivered a tight spread and demonstrated the blend of senior leadership and emerging underclass talent that will define this group throughout the fall.

And importantly, the Lady Dragons achieved this result without star senior Abigail Perez, a decorated middledistance athlete in her own right. For a first 5K rustbuster, the team responded with toughness and maturity a testament to the depth and competitive fire of this years roster. For an average team time of 19:02, the girls look to make some noise in district and the region in 6 weeks at the championship window of the season.

The Dragons return to action on Thursday September 12^th at the Braswell Invitational (Ray Braswell Invitational (Meet is Full) 2026 - Meet Information) at North Lakes Park in Denton while the top 7 athletes from each team will make the trip out to the historic Woodbridge Invitational in Irvine, CA on September 19^th (45th Annual Woodbridge Cross Country Classic - Meet Info - Cross Country Meet). With momentum building and depth emerging across both squads, Dragon XC looks poised for another fantastic season.

Southlake Carroll Elite Race Individual Results

Top Boys Finishers (Elite 5K)

Team Rank	Athlete	Overall Place	Time
1	Kai Gutierrez (Junior)	1st	14:47.2
2	Claudio Auns (Senior)	6th	15:12.0
3	Evan ODonnell (Senior)	7th	15:16.2
4	Jaxon Jax Glenn (Senior)	9th	15:17.8
5	Adhavan Palanivelrajan (Senior)	13th	15:24.0
6	Grant Norgart (Senior)	14th	15:27.7
7	Cameron Perez (Sophomore)	33rd	15:50.6
8	Nathan Calvert (Senior)	63rd	16:18.8
9	Aadi Ghanchi (Sophomore)	70th	16:29.2
10	Ryan Kovach (Junior)	71st	16:30.3
11	GiaBo To (Freshman)	76th	16:36.1
12	Nolan Nelson (Sophomore)	79th	16:38.4
13	Jack Swadish (Senior)	84th	16:43.4

Top Girls Finishers (Elite 5K)

Team Rank	Athlete	Overall Place	Time
1	Grace McIlvain (Senior)	11th	18:30.5
2	Kameron Dukes (Junior)	22nd	19:02.5
3	Nora Farden (Sophomore)	25th	19:08.8
4	Landry Lambert (Senior)	28th	19:13.2
5	Quinn Salstrand (Senior)	29th	19:14.5
6	Megan Saban (Junior)	47th	19:47.4
7	Karlie Cox (Freshman)	48th	19:48.5
8	Kiley Craven (Sophomore)	50th	19:53.5
9	Lauren Batten (Freshman)	60th	20:14.6
10	Gwendolyn Asher (Senior)	64th	20:21.4
11	Evangeline Severson (Sophomore)	84th	21:37.4

Kia Gutierrez Leads Nation's Number 2 Ranked Southlake Carroll Dragons Cross Country Team to Victory

SouthlakeCarrollXC — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 19:00:00 Z

Kia Gutierrez Leads Nation's Number 2 Ranked Southlake Carroll Dragons Cross Country Team to Victory at Southlake 2 Mile Invitational,

Lady Dragons Finish a Strong 4^th Place

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 29, 2026

Southlake, TX The DyeStat preseason #2 ranked boys cross country team in the nation opened the 2026 season in impressive fashion Saturday morning, as Southlake Carroll High School captured the team championship at the Southlake 2 Mile Invitational at Bob Jones Park. Coming off one of the most successful campaigns in Texas XC history, there consistent hard work and dedication to each other and the program over the summer is paying off immediately. The Dragons scored a mere 26 points and recorded the fastest team performance in program history on the Southlake 2 Mile course. The Lady Dragons battled through a talented field to earn a fourth-place finish. Grace McIlvain started her Senior season with the 6^th fastest mark on this course by any Lady Dragon.

Head Coach Juston Leonard stated, Im extremely proud of how our kids competed today. They put in a tremendous amount of work throughout the summer, and it was exciting to see that hard work begin to pay off in our first race of the season. Our boys came out and competed really well as a group, and our girls battled against a very talented field and showed a lot of toughness. More than anything, Im proud of the way our kids continue to believe in each other and embrace the expectations of our program. This was a great first step, but we know its a long season and there is still a lot of work ahead of us. Were excited to keep building from here.

In the varsity elite boys race, Junior Kai Gutierrez successfully defended his Southlake 2 Mile title by winning the individual championship in 9:17.1. That is two straight golds for Gutierrez leading his teammates to another top of the podium performance. The Dragons, who entered the season ranked No. 2 nationally in the DyeStat preseason rankings, placed five runners in the top ten and delivered the fastest team performance ever recorded by a Carroll squad on the this famous course. The accomplishment was made even more impressive after a massive pileup at the starting line which ensnared several Dragons, forcing them to recover from deep in the field. At approximately the half-mile mark, both Gutierrez and Claudio Auns were running in the 60^th to 70^th place range before launching remarkable comeback efforts. Gutierrez stormed through the field to claim the individual title, while Auns surged all the way to 13th place. Three Carroll runners recorded negative splits over the second half of the race despite the early setback. Despite the adversity, Adhavan Palanivelrajan finished third in 9:26.2, followed by Evan O'Donnell in fourth (9:26.4), Jaxon Glenn in eighth (9:31.9), and Grant Norgart in tenth (9:32.5). The packed audience saw massive personal records from top to bottom for the boys team. Carroll's top five combined for a 47:15 team time, averaged 9:27 per runner, and were separated by only 16 seconds.

The performance showcased the depth of Carroll's young talent. Sophomores Cameron Perez (9:40.8), Aadi Ghanchi (9:54.6), and Nolan Nelson (10:06.1) recorded three of the six fastest sophomore times in Southlake Carroll history at Bob Jones Park for the full 2 mile course. In the varsity open division, freshman Gia-Bo To ran the third-fastest freshman time ever recorded by a Dragon while Sophomore Nolan Chitwood, Senior Drew Collett, and Sophomore Cole Swadish all broke the 10:40 mark. Coach Leonard has a tradition of success up and down his rosters yet this depth may outshine any in history.

In the varsity elite girls race, Senior Grace McIlvain paced the Lady Dragons with an outstanding 11th-place finish in 11:14.5. After her breakout junior track season that established her as one of the nation's top middle-distance runners, McIlvain carried that momentum into cross country and led Carroll against one of the stronger early-season fields in north Texas. Landry Lambert finished 29th (11:41.7), Quinn Salstrand 30th (11:43.3), Kameron Dukes 37th (11:47.8), and Nora Farden 48th (11:55.0). The Lady Dragons finished fourth overall with 137 points and a top-five average of 11:41. The result was particularly impressive considering senior superstar Abigail Perez rested during the season opener. When Perez joins her teammates this group of girls will make some noise in UIL 6A and in the southern region.

The Dragons return to action next Saturday at the Southlake 5K at Bob Jones Park in Southlake, with racing beginning at 6:45 a.m.: Southlake 5k XC - Meet Info - Cross Country Meet The meet will feature many of the top programs from across the South traveling to the DFW area. Come cheer them on.

Southlake Carroll Top Finishers (Elite Race)

Top Boys Finishers

Team Rank	Athlete	Overall Place	Time
1	Kai Gutierrez	1st	9:17.1
2	Adhavan Palanivelrajan	3rd	9:26.2
3	Evan O'Donnell	4th	9:26.4
4	Jaxon Glenn	8th	9:31.9
5	Grant Norgart	10th	9:32.5
6	Claudio Auns	13th	9:36.8
7	Cameron Perez	21st	9:40.8
8	Lucas Pham	30th	9:50.7
9	Aadi Ghanchi	35th	9:54.6
10	Nathan Calvert	37th	9:56.5

Top Girls Finishers

Team Rank	Athlete	Overall Place	Time
1	Grace McIlvain	11th	11:14.5
2	Landry Lambert	29th	11:41.7
3	Quinn Salstrand	30th	11:43.3
4	Kameron Dukes	37th	11:47.8
5	Nora Farden	48th	11:55.0
6	Evangeline Severson	63rd	12:14.6
7	Karlie Cox	65th	12:16.1
8	Megan Saban	66th	12:19.0

Southlake Carroll High School Cross Country 2026 Preview

SouthlakeCarrollXC — Sun, 09 Aug 2026 16:28:47 Z

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 mens 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 12^th 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 years 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 4^th in the nation in Portland, Oregan last December.

At the August 8^th 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 ODonnell (4:22), Senior Grant Norgart (4:26), Junior Alban DSouza (4:27), Nathan Calvert (4:27) and Yates Eddins (4:27). These boys along with a handful of sophomores will be seeking their 8^th straight state UIL championship and record 18^th qualification for NXN.

Were 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 theyve put in throughout the summer. Were excited about what this group can accomplish this season and cant 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 2^nd 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 Leonards 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 29^th 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

Dragon XC Places 4th and Senior Caden Leonard places 3rd in Nation

SouthlakeCarrollXC — Sat, 06 Dec 2025 20:12:19 Z

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 6, 2025

Dragon Cross Country and Leonard Family Cement Historic National Run in 2025 at NXN

Senior Caden Leonard Places 3^rd in Nation and Leads Boys XC Team to a Top 4 Finish

Portland, Oregon Though the rain paused long enough for the Nike Cross Country National Championship (NXN) race to commence this wet and cold December morning, the muddy course conditions had the Southlake Carroll boys harriers face the toughest challenge and the fastest competition on the season at the storied Glendoveer Golf Course in Portland, Oregon. This event is loaded with future Division 1 collegiate and future Olympic level talent in the distances. Our local boys did not disappoint. To capstone his record setting career, All American and University of North Carolina bound Caden Leonard podiumed yet again and was steps away from the win. His valiant effort had him take the lead twice in the final mile proving he is one of the best ever in Texas distance running history.

The boys teams effort was not only due to his courageous and inspirational leadership up front with a 3^rd place finish (15:03) on a wet and muddy course but also underscored by astounding performances by superstar Sophomore and now All American Kai Gutierrez (12^th, 15:22) and another breakout race by future blue chip star Junior Jaxon Glenn (63^rd, 16:06). Gutierrez dropped from 33^rd place at the 1k split to a shocking 12^th place finish catching 21 racers on the way and finishing as the 3^rd fastest 10^th grader on the day. Glenn stepped up to aid the team score by beating young men who bested him earlier in the season, peaking at the perfect time to support his teammates.

With universities well aware of the top three front runners, the Dragons who rounded out the top 7 truly have national level resumes stacking up themselves too. Middle distance track juggernaut Michael Fuller (81^st, 16:15), a Senior miler to watch, and Junior Claudio Auns (127^th, 16:38) who has the top 10 800-meter mark in school history while a Sophomore (1:56) both displayed the range and leadership necessary for a team to compete at NXN. Also stepping up on this 2025 Dragon XC team challenge the best in the nation were breakout Juniors Grant Norgart (102^nd, 16:26) and Evan ODonnell (140^th, 16:47). The depth of this team is one for the ages as their 137 points placed them 4^th nationally yet their average team time of 1:19.15 had them outrunning 3^rd place Lincroft. The body of work for Coach Justin Leonards 2025 Dragons resume, led by his son Caden, speaks for itself and may be one of the best in a long and storied history of the Southlake Carroll distance program. Coach Leonard has set the record with 17 total appearances at NXN and looks forward to increase this total with a deep stable of young talented underclassmen watching one of his best assembled teams ever in 2025.

Head Coach Justin Leonard said, Im so proud of this team and what they were able to accomplish this season. This years group stepped up in a big way and represented not only our program, but the entire state of Texas with pride. Finishing as the fourth-best high school team in the nation is an incredible accomplishment, and having two All-American individual finishers makes it even more special. I also want to thank our parents for entrusting me with their kids and supporting them as they grow, work, and chase their dreams. This journey wouldnt be possible without them.

Next up for the Dragon distance team is the North Texas Winter 1600 at the Southlake Carroll 9/10^TH Grade Campus on January 10, 2026: Lonestar Running Co

Dragon XC Continue Historic Record Breaking Season, Lady Dragons Finish Strong at NXR

SouthlakeCarrollXC — Mon, 24 Nov 2025 20:49:20 Z

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 24, 2025

Dragon XC Continue Historic Record Breaking Season, Lady Dragons Finish Strong at

Nike Cross Country Regionals

Senior Caden Leonard dominates boys individual

title in a course record 14:37

College Station, TX The Southlake Carroll boys won yet another Nike Cross Regional championship qualifying for the NXN meet for a national record 17^th time. The NXR meet hosts the top talent from Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Not only did this unparalleled team of young men set their mark in school and state history with a dominant win and 1-5 average time of 15:17, they also had two athletes, Senior Caden Leonard and Sophomore Kai Gutierrez break 15 minutes on the famous Dale Watts Cross Country Course at Texas A&M University in College Station. Only seven high school runners in history have broken that barrier. With Carroll XCs storied running program, having a team that rivals any past varsity set of boys is quite a statement yet this is a team for the ages. On the girls side, several athletes finished their seasons by stepping up to the best in the South. Luna Gutierrez had a top 40 finish (39th) with a blazing 18:34 to close out her wonderful cross country career as a Lady Dragon before she heads off to Emory University.

Head Coach Justin Leonard said, We are extremely proud of the way all of our Dragons competed today at the Nike South Regional meet. Im especially proud of our Open Race and Rising Star runners for the resilience they showed. We know they will soon be called upon to fill the voids in the varsity team and continue the tradition. Our boys came together today with a huge performance and clinched their ticket to Nationals for the 17th time! This program continues to rise because of the work, character, and belief of every athlete who puts on the uniform.

Senior and University of North Carolina commit Caden Leonard won the individual boys title for the 2nd year in a row, breaking the course record in an astonishing 14:37. An incredible tactician, he did not take command of the race until the final homestretch with less than 600 meters to go, lowering the course record by 15 seconds. Crossing the finish line in 14:54 was star Sophomore Kai Gutierrez in 6^th place. The boys team was strong from top to bottom as Coach Leonard prepared them well for post season top notch competition. The next three scoring runners are shaping up to have targets on their own backs as they are peaking at the perfect time with Junior Jaxon Glenn in 15:33 (37^th), Senior Michael Fuller 15:39 (42nd) and Junior Claudio Auns 15:40 (44th) rounding out the top five. Junior Grant Norgart and Junior Evan ODonnell finished in 15:59 and 16:09 respectively. In the other races, Rising Stars and Open, several runners on both the boys and girls side closed out the years displaying the depth of talent and dedication making the future of the program just as strong.

In the girls race, Senior Luna Gutierrez set the pace with a team place of 7^th among the best in the South. Junior Megan Bergman (41^st, 18:36), Junior Grace McIilain (84^th, 19:05), Junior Abilgail Perez (113^th, 19:23) and Junior Quinn Salstrand (124^th, 19:31). The Lady Dragons completed a gritty season and will likely have universities eyeing this talented pool of girls to bring their talents to the next level.

The next meet for the boys team will be Nike Cross Country National Championships will be held December 6, 2025 in Portland, Oregon. The team will look to improve upon their 4^th place finish last year with Caden Leonards valiant 3^rd place. To watch the meet or learn more, link here to cheer on the Dragons: NikeCrossNationals.com - Nike Cross Nationals Official Site - NXN

Southlake Carroll Cross Country Dominates, Sets Records at UIL State Meet

SouthlakeCarrollXC — Sat, 01 Nov 2025 16:30:52 Z

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 1, 2025

Caden Leonard for the Three-peat, Dragons for seventh straight Texas state title!

Southlake Carroll Cross Country Dominates, Sets Records at UIL State Meet

Round Rock, TX The Southlake Carroll High School boys cross country team won its seventh consecutive UIL 6A Texas state title Saturday morning at Old Settlers Park, defeating runner-up Austin Vandegrift High School by 27 points. Early morning training sessions before the sun comes up, endless sacrifice and self-discipline for the sake of teammates, and pure grit resulted in a statement performance which will be talked about for years. Both Coach Justin Leornard and his All-American son Caden Leonard have cemented the legacy of Dragon Cross Country in Texas athletics history. The boys team set the longest consecutive large school division winning streak with the 2025 title while Caden broke the individual state meet winning streak at three in a row. The senior dominated the field with one kilometer to go to show that he is in championship season form leading one of the most talented and well-trained teams in school history. The Lady Dragons placed a strong fifth with some of the fastest teams in the nation. Luna Gutierrez capped off her stellar state meet career with a quick 18:15 (17th) finish. Several of the girls had their best performances of the season just in time for NXR.

Not to be outdone by the superstar Senior Caden Leonard, Sophomore Kai Gutierez raced to one of the fastest Dragon times ever on the course at Round Rock with another sub 15 finish for 4^th place (14:57). This historic team win sets the school and XC coaching staff as the standard in the storied Texas running history books which includes many national champions and Olympians. The boys 1-5 spread was 70 seconds due in part to Leonards lightening fast victory but their team time goes down in the record books as well at 15:23. With improving competition over the years, the boys team just keeps getting better and with only two seniors on varsity, the Dragon legacy looks to remain strong for years to come. Of note beyond Leonard and Guttierez exceptional day, was Junior Jaxon Glenn who stepped up to a blazing 15:39 in 24^th place and Junior Claudio Auns in 36^th 15:47. Rounding out the state champion squad were Senior Michael Fuller (56^th, 15:52), Junior Grant Norgart (49^th, 15:54) and Junior Evan ODonnell (68^th, 16:06).

Head Coach Justin Leonard said, Every year brings new challenges, fresh competition, and rising expectationsyet this group met them head-on. Capturing a seventh state title in a row reflects not just talent, but a culture built on hard work, teamwork, and belief. Now its up to the underclassmen to carry that tradition forward and continue what this incredible group has built.

The Lady Dragons placed 5^th overall which is quite notable with the level of running talent on the girls side this year. Two of the teams in the top four are nationally ranked. Senior leader Luna Gutierrez set the standard yet again (17^th, 18:15). Rounding out the top five were Junior Megan Bergman (37^th, 18:36), Junior Grace McIilain (47^th, 18:45), Junior Abilgail Perez (52^nd, 18:50) and Junior Quinn Salstrand (83^rd, 19:18). The girls look to build upon this top 5 finish at Nike XC Regionals in less than a month to try to gain a birth at the national championships in Portland, Oregon.

Next up for both squads is the Nike XC South Regional meet at College Station on November 24, 2025. The Dragons and Lady Dragons will face the top runners from throughout the South at the challenging Watts Cross Country Course. For more information, link to the meet here: NXR South Regional. This will be the next step in the championship season for the Dragon Cross Country Team.

Dragon XC Teams Blaze at Regionals Qualifying for State Meet

SouthlakeCarrollXC — Tue, 21 Oct 2025 18:36:39 Z

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 21, 2025

Dragon XC Teams Blaze at Regionals Qualifying for State Meet

Senior Caden Leonard claims boys individual title

Lubbock, TX The Southlake Carroll boys won and girls cross country team place 2^nd at Region 1-6A cross country championships in Lubbock Tuesday morning. It is the 8th consecutive regional title for the boys in a shockingly fast 1-5 average of 15:33. Caden Leonard lead the way for the boys with Luna Gutierrez setting the standard for the Lady Dragons The girls team qualified for the state meet for the 28^th straight year with their 2^nd place finish.

Head Coach Justin Leonard said, We are so proud of the way our Dragons performed today at the Region 1-6A meet in Lubbock! It takes a true team effort, dedication, and heart to punch your ticket on such a challenging course. Every runner contributed, and their hard work all season long truly showed today. Were excited and ready to compete at the state meet on Nov. 1!

Senior and All American runner Caden Leonard won the individual boys title for the 3^rd year in a row, crossing the finish line in 15:03 followed closely by star Sophomore Kai Gutierrez at 15:13 in 3^rd place. These two are shaping up to be one of the top 1-2 punches in the nation in 2025. Stepping up significantly was Junior Jaxon Glenn with a strong 9^th place (15:32). Senior Michael Fuller (17^th, 15:51) and Junior Claudio Auns (26^th, 16:04) rounded out the Dragon scoring runners. Next, they will seek their 7^th straight Texas State 6A Championship in Waco on November 1^st. The top 5 team average at the regional meet rivals the best ever for a high school boys team on the Mae Simmons Park course.

In the girls race, Senior Luna Gutierrez continued her remarkable season with a fast 18:20 on this challenging course and a 9^th place finish. Rounding out the top five were Junior Megan Bergman (20^th, 18:43), Junior Grace McIilain (27^th, 18:54), Junior Abilgail Perez (39^th, 19:24) and Junior Quinn Salstrand (46^th, 19:34). Only behind nationally ranked Flower Mound, the 2^nd place finish signs their ticket to Waco. These ladies held the line for the deep winning tradition for the Dragons with a top five including only a single senior athlete.

The 6A state championship meet will be held in Round Rock on Saturday, Nov. 1^st. For more information, link to the meet here: UIL Cross Country State Championship 2025 - Meet Information. This will be the next step in the championship season for the Dragon XC Team.

Dragon XC Dominates in the Fastest District in the Nation

SouthlakeCarrollXC — Thu, 09 Oct 2025 17:01:31 Z

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 9, 2025

Dragon XC Dominates in the Fastest

District in the Nation

Records set by Leonard and Boys Team

SOUTHLAKE, Texas The Southlake Carroll boys and girls cross country teams competed at District 4-6A cross country championships at Bob Jones Park on Thursday morning. Heralded as the fastest district in the country, the event did not disappoint. Star senior Caden Leonard set both the meet and course record in a blazing 14:29 while the boys team set the school record with a top 5 average of 14:52 placing them in the conversation for a national title. They won the district title and set themselves as one of the best teams in school history. Not to be outdone, the lady Dragons had a remarkable 18:07 team average for their top 5 narrowly missing the district title placing 2^nd overall. Luna Gutierrez set the tone early and finished in a blazing 17:29. The improvements over this season set them as a top contender moving into the championship meets in October.

Head Coach Justin Leonard stated that, We are really proud of the way all four of our teams came out and competed today at District. We pride ourselves on being able to compete and perform when it matters most. Im excited to see where this year takes us and really appreciate this years senior class for all of their leadership and guidance to the underclassmen.

In the varsity boys race, All American senior Caden Leonard was back in action and led the team to a district title and one of the top performances of the year. The team had a 1-7 spread of just over a minute and a 1-5 time of 74:20 which is an all time school record on this course. Leonard set the tone yet sophomore star Kai Gutierrez 2^nd place (14:37) and senior Michale Fuller (14:48) closed hard passing 3 runners in the last 200 meters to give the Dragons a 1-3 finish. Caudio Auns (15:11), Grant Norgart(15:14), Jaxon Glenn (15:17), and Evan ODonnell(15:35) rounded out the varsity competitors. Tradition means everything to Southlake Carroll as they won their 16^th straight district title in dramatic fashion.

In the girls competition, the team time of 90:38 was exceptional as breakout races by senior Luna Gutierrez (2^nd, 17:29) and junior Megan Bergman (7^th, 17:51) set the tone. Closely following their teammates were Abigail Perez (10^th, 18:00), Grace McIivain (11^th, 18:01), and Nora Fraden (25^th, 19:14). The lady Dragons came in 2^nd place to a solid Byron Nelson team and are set for a rematch at UIL Regionals in less than two weeks.

In the final JV race of the season, Dragon boys had a near perfect 19 points. A 1-2-4-5-7 finish is rare in the sport yet the depth of the team was on full display. Carroll was led to the district title by promising freshman Cameron Perez (15:59) and talented junior Jack Swadish (2^nd, 16:09). That 1-2 finish was followed by sophomore Adhavan Palanivelrajan (4^th, 16:19), senior Gavin Folkerts (5^th, 16:21) and senior Graysen Schick (7^th, 16:21).

In the girls JV race, the ladies placed 2^nd as well. Sophomore Kameron Dukes crossed the line first in 18:35 to take the title, the 3^rd of the day for the team. Junior Quinn Salstrand finished second in 18:56. The next three scoring Dragons ran as a tight pack made up of senior Sophie Garland (12^th, 19:53), junior Gwendolyn Asher (13^th, 19:56), and sophomore Megan Saban (14^th, 19:57).

The Dragons now advance to the Region 1-6A meet in Lubbock on October 21^st. As both varsity teams look to qualify for the state meet, the boys will be aiming for their 8^th consecutive regional championship. For more information on the 2025 XC UIL Regional Meet, link here: UIL 1A-6A Region 1 Championship 2025 - Meet Information

Southlake Carroll Cross Country Runners Blaze at Nike South Invitational

SouthlakeCarrollXC — Fri, 19 Sep 2025 22:05:22 Z

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 19, 2025

Southlake Carroll Cross Country Highlight the Heralded Nike South Invitational: Jaxon Glenn and Luna Guttierez Lead the Way

College Station, TX With close to the full varsity lineup laced up for the Dragons this week both boys and girls varsity challenges nationally ranked competition at the iconic Nike South Invitational at Texas A&Ms Dale Watts XC Course.

Coach Leonard stated, Were proud of how our teams competed this weekend at the Braswell and Nike South Invites! Splitting into two meets gave many of our runners valuable varsity experience that will pay off during championship season. Todays race at Nike South served as a glorified practicegiving us the chance to learn the course and prepare for when it really counts in November.

On the boys side, star Junior Jaxon Glenn led the squad placing 14^th overall in 15:37 on the moderately challenging course for the Varsity Elite Race. Senior Michael Fuller (15:52) was close behind in 21^st place followed by Claudio Auns (26^th ,15:58), Grant Norgart (44^th ,16:16),, Evan ODonnell (63^rd ,16:31),, and Gavin Folkerts (88^th ,16:46). The team again had a tight 54 second 1-5 spread missing out on 2^nd place by a hair. The 3^rd place for a varsity team missing several harriers showed the strength and depth of the talent on the roster this year.

For the ladies Varsity Elite side, Senior star Luna Gutierrez (18:28) set the standard for the Dragons with a 22^nd finish in an elite field of runners. The team finished in 6^th place with Juniors Megan Bergman (36^th, 18:57), Grace McIlivain (39^th, 19:01), and Abigail Perez (52^nd, 19:24), and Senior Lilah Gornell (66^th, 19:41) rounded out the top five. These runners will face the same course and similar competition in November for the Nike South Regional Championships to seek their 4^th straight nationals qualification.

In the boys Varsity 5k race, the young men placed a respectable 4^th in a stacked field. A solid showing by Junior Jack Swadish (23^rd, 17:10) set the pace for the Carroll boys. He was followed closely by Hasan Rauf (27^th, 17:13) and Dylan Torres (33^rd, 17:17). There counterparts on the womens side saw Landry Lambert (31^st, 20:46), Megan Saban (54^th, 21:21) and Gwendolyn Asher (56^th, 21:22) perform admirably gaining solid experience as the team head into championship competition in October.

The Dragons distance crews will compete at the Jesuit XC Classic next week in Oak Park at the Prestonwood Polo Fields. For more information on the upcoming meet, link here: Jesuit XC Classic (MEET IS FULL) 2025 - Meet Information

Dragon Cross Country Hosts Top Talent at Southlake 5K Invitational

SouthlakeCarrollXC — Sat, 06 Sep 2025 16:00:00 Z

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 6, 2025

Dragon Cross Country Hosts Top Talent at

Southlake 5K Invitational

Southlake, TX A magnet for the top harriers in the region, the Southlake 5K Invitational at Bob Jones Park on Saturday September 6^th did not disappoint. On the boys side, the meet attracted 9-time Arkansas state champion Bentonville High and local powerhouse, CCCAT 9^th ranked Flower Mound High School. On the ladies side, DyeStat nationally ranked #13 Rogers (Arkansas) and defending Texas state champion Flower Mound High School came to town to take on the Dragons.

Though the Carroll boys rested many of their varsity team including nationally ranked Caden Leonard and Kia Gutierrez, breakout Senior Micheal Fuller (7^th, 15:21) lead the team to an impressive 23 second 1-5 spread for 2^nd place behind Bentonville High in the Elite Boys Race. Junior Jaxon Glenn (16^th, 15:28), Junior Grant Norgart (26^th, 15:39), Junior Adhaven Palanivelrajan (32^nd, 15:42), and Junior Claudio Auns (38^th, 15:44) rounded out the scoring five. The remaining top seven posted impressive marks with Junior Evan ODonnell (16:02) and Senior Gavin Folkerts (16:13) making big moves to close out the race.

The Dragon ladies had a 3rd place finish just mere points away from 2024 state champion Flower Mound High School. Lead by Senior superstar Luna Gutierrez (7^th, 18:05), the women also delivered a stellar 1-5 time spread of 43 seconds which is key to team achievements in cross country. Senior Lilah Gornell (18^th, 18:36) had one of the standout performances of the day followed by teammates Junior Abigail Perez (21^st, 18:39), Junior Megan Bergman (23^rd, 18:42) and Junior Grace McIlivain (33^rd, 18:48).

Carroll Head Coach Justin Leonard noted, We are very proud of the way our athletes competed today. For several of our varsity runners, this was their first 5K of the season, providing a valuable benchmark to gauge their progress. For some of our younger runners, it marked their second 5K, an important step in their development and in gaining race experience. We are encouraged by the direction of the program and confident that we will be prepared for championship season.

In the boys open 5k race, Senior Dylan Torres scorched the home course in 16:16 for 5^th place followed by standout Freshman Cameron Perez (7^th, 16:21). Sophomore Reed Dodson (9^th, 16:23) is showing good form leading the next pack including Sophomore Hasan Rauf (13^th, 16:27) and Sophomore Ryan Kovach (20^th, 16:34). The Dragons took 2^nd place overall.

In the girls varsity open race, Sophomore Eberle Goode (20^th, 20:27) led the way for the Dragons as they took 5^th overall. Junior Gwendolyn Asher (26^th, 20:37), Annalise Bell (28^th, 20:39), Freshman Sophie Mahendra (20:51), and Sophomore Megan Saban (20:57) rounded out the top 5.

While the varsity Dragons distance crews has next week off, they will be heading to compete against stiff competition at the Nike South Invitational (Nike South 2025 - Meet Information) at Texas A&M on Friday September 19^th. Others will compete in Denton at the Braswell Invitational (Braswell Little D Invitational FULL 2025 - Meet Information) on Thursday September 18^th.

Dragons Harriers Compete at Marcus Coach T Invitational

SouthlakeCarrollXC — Sat, 30 Aug 2025 14:00:00 Z

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 30, 2025

Dragons Harriers Compete at Marcus Coach T Invitational

Denton, TX With the top Southlake Carroll varsity runners taking the weekend off from competition to prepare the massive home opener at Bob Jones Park next week, the Dragons sent their JV teams to North Lakes Park in Denton for the Marcus Coach T Invitational on Saturday morning.

We are extremely proud of the way our athletes competed today at the Marcus Invite. While our varsity squad did not race, the meet provided an excellent opportunity for our junior varsity runners to compete against varsity-level competition. That experience is invaluable and will serve them well as the season progresses. We look forward to returning to action next weekend at our home event, the Southlake Carroll XC Invite., Head Coach Justin Leonard said.

In the varsity elite girls race, sophomore Megan Saban led the Dragons with a time of 20:34, followed closely by fellow sophomore Eberle Goode (20:39). Junior runners Annalise Bell (21:32) and Gwendolyn Asher (21:51) also stepped up to compete with some of the top local talent.

On the boys side, the elite race saw the Dragon JV team lace up against some of the best runners in Texas. Sophomore Hasan Rauf (16:35) and freshman Cameron Perez (16:44) took full advantage of the opportunity. Rounding out the scoring five on the day were sophomore Ryan Kovach (16:55), junior Jack Swadish (17:19) and senior Dylan Torres (17:22).

In the varsity open races, freshman Sophie Mahendra was the top Dragon runner in the girls competition, crossing the finish line in 22:10. She was followed with a neck and neck finish by junior Isabella Galvis and freshman Lucy Soto (23:03 & 23:06).

The boys were led by sophomore Reed Dodson (16:58), followed by Pritam Kunreddy (17:57) and freshman Jacob Rurka (18:02)

The Dragons return to action on Saturday, Sept. 6 at 6:50am at Bob Jones Park for the annual Southlake Carroll 5k which historically has been a magnet for the top runners in the region. For more details on the meet, visit: Southlake 5K XC Invite (Meet is FULL) 2025 - Meet Information

Kai Gutierrez Leads Dragon Boys to Victory in XC Opener at Southlake 2 Mile Invitational

SouthlakeCarrollXC — Sat, 23 Aug 2025 12:00:00 Z

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 23, 2025

Kai Gutierrez Leads Dragon Boys to Victory in XC Opener at Southlake 2 Mile Invitational

Lady Dragons Take 2^nd Place

Southlake, TX After a summer dedicated to early morning training sessions and building on the success of the 2025 track and field campaign, the Southlake Carroll cross country program opened their season at the Southlake 2 Mile Invitational at Bob Jones Park on Saturday morning. The boys team began its quest for a seventh consecutive state title with a dominating victory in an almost perfect score of 18 points despite having a handful of talented Dragons not racing on the day. Likewise, the girls team, led by senior Lilah Gornells 8^th place, finished in a strong second place with several top athletes not competing on the day.

Head Coach Juston Leonard stated, Were really proud of how our team opened the season today. The athletes showed great energy, effort, and teamwork in the 2-mile opener, and this race set a strong foundation for the rest of our cross country season.

In the varsity elite boys race, sophomore Kai Gutierrrez took home the gold in a blazing 9:08, leading Carroll to a 27-point victory over second-place Byron Nelson. Senior Michael Fuller had a remarkable season opener at 9:20 in 2^nd place, followed by juniors Jaxon Glenn (4th, 9:32), Adhaven Palanivelrajan (5th, 9:40) and Claudio Auns (6th, 9:42).

In the varsity elite girls race, senior Lilah Gornell (8^th, 11:33) lead the way, for a team that is seeking its 4^th straight national championship bid. A solid pack of Dragons lead by Junior Grace McIlvains 16th place finish (12:02) included breakout freshman Nora Farden (17^th, 12:02) and senior Haley Badgett (18^th, 12:14). The competitive girls race saw the team place 2^nd to Byron Nelson.

In the varsity open race, the Dragons again took home the victory with the talented sophomore Hasan Rauf and freshman Cameron Perez both finishing at 10:16 in 4^th and 5^th place. Sophomore Ryan Kovach completed the course in the top 10 as well (8^th, 10:22). In the girls varsity open race, sophomore Megan Saban finished in 6^th leading the team to 4^th place in a crowded field.

In the JV races, the boys came through with another victory while the ladys finished 3^rd. Three boys crossed the finish line in the top 10 lead by freshman Jacob Ruka (6^th, 11:10), sophomore Yates Eddins (9^th, 11:14), and senior Rayan Behjoo (11:15)

The Dragons return to action next Saturday August 30^th, running in the Coach T Invitational at North Lakes Park in Denton.

PAGE 2 Southlake Carroll Individual Results for Varsity Elite Races

Boys Elite Varsity Results

1 Kai Gutierrez 9:08

2 Michael Fuller 9:20

4 Jaxon Glenn 9:32

5 Adhaven Palanivelrajan 9:40

6 Claudio Auns 9:42

8 Grant Norgart 9:43

11 Gavin Folkerts 9:48

15 Evan ODonnell 9:57

23 Grayson Schick 10:12

53 Reed Dodson 10:48

Girls Elite Varsity Results

8 Lilah Gornell 11:33

16 Grace McIlvain 11:48

17 Nora Farden 12:02

18 Haley Badget 12:14

26 Landry Lambert 12:33

30 Eberle Goode 12:48