Note that the entire "ul and nested list item" is inside of the leading li tag:
<ul class="goldList"> <li>list item 1</li> <li>list item 2</li> <li>list item 3 <ul> <li>nested list item</li> </ul></ul>
ul.listcol {
columns: 4;
-webkit-columns: 4;
-moz-columns: 4;
break-inside: avoid;
display: inline-block;
width: 90%
}
ul.listcol li:first-child {
padding-top: 0;
margin-top: 0;
}
<ul class="goldList listcol">
<li>Anthony Demeo</li>
<li>Markus DeNapoli</li>
<li>Maddi (Yoder) Esch</li>
<li>Callie For</li>
<li>Victoria Johnson</li>
<li>Thomas Kinney</li>
<li>Brittany Knox</li>
<li>Daneen Krygsheld</li>
<li>Katie McAfoose</li>
<li>David McKinle</li>
<li>Luke Nolan</li>
<li>Mark Overmier</li>
<li>Adrianna Reese</li>
<li>McKenna Shick</li>
<li>Alden Test</li>
<li>Paige Wintermute</li>