TAVARES, Fla. — The Tavares Patriots Boys’ and Girls’ Cross-Country teams captured the Lake County District Championships on Thursday, showcasing dominant performances on the 2-mile course at Hickory Point Park and finishing atop a competitive 13-school field.

In the boys’ individual race, East Ridge Middle School 8th grader Jonahel Vasquez defended his title with a winning time of 10:40.72 on the demanding woodland course. Tavares Middle School clinched the next four places, led by Nicholas Alvarez (10:48.55), followed closely by Omar Castillo (10:50.68), Emiliano Lozano (11:09.60), and Navid Lozano (11:10.18), Eric Chen played 6th with a time of (11.30.87). William McGuire of Aurelia M. Cole Academy placed 7th, clocking 10:40.86, while Tavares’ Brock Mraz followed at 11:49.93. Preston Pautienus of Minneola Charter (12:07.53) and Lake Pointe Academy’s Antia Connor (12:17.49) completed the top 10.

On the girls’ side, Tavares 8th grader Laken Hartley secured her second straight Lake County individual title with a time of 11:57.55, edging out teammate Jimena Nava-Garcia (12:03.23). Tavares teammates Alice Ilea (12:21.83) and Lindsey Mishler (12:37.49) finished 3rd and 4th, while Minneola Charter’s Chloe Entwistle claimed 5th place at 12:53.89. Windy Hill’s Hortance Sallaut (13:07.78) interrupted an otherwise near-perfect score for Tavares, whose Isabella Neal (13:18.64) and Kayla Santos (13:25.75) completed six of the top eight positions. East Ridge Middle’s Abigail Turner (13:42.42) and Sophie Galarza (13:57.82) rounded out the top 10 medalists.

The Tavares boys secured their 5th consecutive district title and 12th overall, dominating with a low score of 20 points to outpace Minneola Charter (74 points). East Ridge Middle placed 3rd with 77 points, as both Minneola Charter and East Ridge Middle qualified for the state meet. Aurelia Cole (145 points), Windy Hill (153), Gray (171), Lake Pointe (193), Mount Dora (197), Imagine South Lake (210), and Oak Park Middle (233) completed the field.

The Tavares girls extended their Lake County reign, winning their 5th consecutive and 13th overall district title since 2006, with a low score of 17 points. East Ridge (68 points) and Minneola Charter (104) also qualified for the state meet. Other teams included Windy Hill (106), Mount Dora (154), Gray (178), Imagine South Lake (193), Aurelia Cole Academy (225), Lake Pointe Academy (255), Umatilla (260), and Oak Park (280).

Both Tavares teams advance to the FLYRA Middle School State Championship on Saturday, Oct. 26, at Holloway Park in Lakeland.