Middleton, Fla. – The Villages High School cross country teams each earned first-place finishes in a season-opening meet Saturday in Oxford.

Both the Buffalo boys and girls finished atop the three-team standings in the Buffalo Invitational at Brown & Brown Farms – the only home course event of the 2026 campaign – to start new head coach Jacklyn Bollenback's tenure with a pair of victories.

The boys team was spearheaded by freshman Noah Fraguela, who posted a top time of 20:01.34. Senior Christian Ducharme posted a personal-best time of 20:03.33 to finish second, while sophomore Deegan Rude placed third at 21:37.73.

Freshman Amy Tomassian led the way for the VHS girls, running the course in a time of 23:44.66. Seniors Annison Chandler (25:24.05) and Elenna Ventura (27:03.25) placed third and fourth overall, respectively.

The teams will return to action next Saturday (Aug. 29) at Whispering Pines Park in Inverness.


Cody Hills can be reached for questions or comment at cody.hills@tvcs.org.