Wilson Christian Academy Boys Win NCCSA Title
The middle school boys cross-country team claimed the championship victory with a strong finish in the top 20.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Running
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Wilson Christian Academy captured the NCCSA middle school boys cross-country title by securing 68 points at the state championship. All five of the team's scoring runners finished within the top 20 on the 3,200-meter course.
Why it matters
The team victory underscores a dominant collective performance as they outperformed the second-place Raleigh Christian squad. By placing all scoring members in the top 20, the team demonstrated remarkable depth in a competitive field.
The winning team totaled 68 points against the 98 points posted by runner-up Raleigh Christian. All five scoring athletes completed the 3,200-meter race in under 13 minutes and 45 seconds.
The players
Wilson Christian Academy
This is the educational institution based in Wilson that fields the championship-winning cross-country team.
Bentley Cline
He is the lead runner for the championship team who secured a ninth-place finish in the competition.
Dominic Santacrose
He is a runner from Imago Dei Classical Academy who secured the individual middle school title.
The details
Bentley Cline led the way for the team with a ninth-place finish in 13:16.2. He was followed by teammates Johann Dominguez, Enz Lippert, Julian Simpson, and Jase Parker, who all secured positions in the top 20.
Timeline
The NCCSA cross-country championship race took place on October 27, 2026.
Season Trajectory
This state title win serves as a major milestone for the Wilson Christian Academy program, establishing them as the benchmark for local middle school squads. It represents a significant shift in the competitive landscape as they look to build on this state-level success.
The team's 68-point total secured them the championship trophy by a margin of 30 points over Raleigh Christian. With all five scorers placing in the top 20, the team effectively optimized their scoring potential to secure the state win.
The takeaway
The team's success highlights the importance of depth in cross-country, where a strong pack can outweigh an individual top performer. Athletes and coaches can draw from this performance the value of consistent top-20 finishes to secure low team scores.
Further reading
For more news on local athletic events, visit the Running section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Wilson Times News.
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