Photo courtesy Carroll XC
The Dragon Cross Country team has made impressive strides so far in 2025, earning both individual and team accolades. The boys are currently ranked the #1 team in Texas, while the girls are ranked #3; nationally, the teams are ranked 11th and 32nd, respectively.
Here’s a look at some of their standout achievements so far:
1. Season Opens With Dominant Victory
The Dragons hosted and ran the Southlake 2 Mile Invitational and put up commanding performances. Sophomore Kai Gutierrez led the way, finishing first with an impressive 9:08. The boys’ team nearly achieved a perfect score, securing a 27-point victory over Byron Nelson. Senior Michael Fuller (second place, 9:20), juniors Jaxon Glenn (fourth), Adhaven Palanivelrajan (fifth), and Claudio Auns (sixth) rounded out the top finishers.
2. Lady Dragons Shine In Opener
The Lady Dragons specifically made a strong statement in the season opener. Senior Lilah Gornell finished eighth overall, while Grace McIlvain, Nora Farden, and Haley Badgett all placed in the top 20.
3. Southlake 5K Invitational: Elite Competition
The Southlake 5K Invitational on Sept. 6 featured some of the nation’s top cross country talent. Despite resting several varsity runners, the Dragons' boys team finished as runners-up to Bentonville. The girls' team also impressed, securing a third-place finish in the elite field.
4. Nike South Invitational: Glenn and Gutierrez Lead the Way
Carroll tested itself again against nationally ranked programs at the Nike South Invitational in College Station last week. Junior Jaxon Glenn led the boys with a 14th-place finish (15:37), while senior Michael Fuller (21st) and Claudio Auns (26th) followed closely as the Dragons earned third overall with an impressive 54-second spread among their top five. On the girls’ side, senior Luna Gutierrez clocked 18:28 for 22nd to pace a group that included juniors Megan Bergman and Grace McIlvain, helping the Lady Dragons secure sixth.
In the Varsity 5K races, junior Jack Swadish (23rd, 17:10) set the tone for the boys, who placed fourth, while Landry Lambert (31st, 20:46) led the girls. Both squads gained valuable big-race experience on the Dale Watt’s XC Course, the same venue where they’ll return in November for Nike South Regionals.
4. Caden Leonard’s Busy 12 Months
Senior Caden Leonard continues to make headlines.
In cross country, Leonard clinched his second consecutive UIL Class 6A state title as a junior with a time of 14:50.1, leading the Dragons to their sixth straight team championship. He also secured a third-place finish at the national NXN championships and won the NXN South Regional race. Leonard's personal best in the 5K stands at 14:33.5, achieved at the District 4 postseason championship.
On the track, Leonard captured gold medals in both the 1600-meter and 3200-meter events at the 2025 UIL Class 6A State Track and Field Championships, completing the rare "Triple Crown" in Texas high school distance running. In recognition of his outstanding performances, Leonard was named the 2024–2025 Gatorade Texas Boys Cross Country Player of the Year for the second consecutive year.
Over the summer, Leonard was chosen for the prestigious Nike Elite Program for 2025-2026, recognizing Leonard as one of the nation's top high school runners
5. Looking Ahead: Upcoming Races
The Dragons have several key meets on the horizon as they build toward postseason competition. Upcoming events include the Colleyville Invitational on September 27, the District 4-6A Championship on October 11, and the UIL Regional meet on October 25. Each race presents an opportunity for rising stars and veteran leaders alike to sharpen their skills and gain momentum as the team prepares for the state championship in November.