LaGrange High School Cross Country Team Wins County Championship at Whispering Hills
Published on November 3, 2025
The LaGrange High School boys and girls cross country teams swept the Troup County Championship meet hosted for the first time at Whispering Hills Natural Cemetery and Memorial Nature Preserve.
“This was our first-ever cross country meet held at Whispering Hills, and our team certainly had an edge in the county championships since this is our home course,” noted LaGrange High School Cross Country Coach Brad Mormon. “Our girls and boys teams have developed a real advantage by routinely running this hilly terrain out here, and that continues to be our secret to success.”
The secret is out, as middle school and high school cross country runners from five schools across the county, including Troup County High School, Callaway High School, and Lafayette Christian School, and LaGrange Academy took on the Whispering Hills trails, many for the first time.
“This won’t ever be a course where you can realize a personal record time. This is an all-out gutsy performance trail,” chuckled Collier Baker, a LaGrange High School Junior who won individual honors with by far the fastest time in the field. “We run a lot of great courses throughout the season, but Whispering Hills is the best and my favorite. You can completely immerse yourself in nature on these trails, as you run through the forest and meadows, and race past the horses in the pastures. There’s nothing like it.”
LaGrange High Senior Collier Baker earned individual first place honors.
No one else in sight as Collier Baker runs the grassy pasture trail at Whispering Hills.
Collier finds comfort and strength from his aunt’s presence at Whispering Hills. “Every time I run by her final resting place, I blow her a kiss. I feel her presence everywhere out here, and I’m honored to compete on these challenging trails,” he said with a smile. “But don’t let the name fool you, there’s nothing whispering about these hills. They’re tough.”
There is one steep section of the course in particular that quickly became known as “the hill” among runners in the countywide competition. Even many on the LaGrange High School team, who train regularly on these grassy trails, found it to be a daunting but successful test.
Senior Amelia Gale sat down on the ground, just past the finish line, just happy to have made it over the towering terrain. And while there was no medal this time, she was thrilled with the results. “This was probably my best race of the season,” Amelia noted with a big grin. “It’s like at least a 60-degree angle up the biggest hill out there. You just keep running and you feel like you’re never getting to the top,” she laughed, still reliving the race. “The trick is pacing myself and maintaining a consistent speed, even passing a few people along the way. If I had sprinted up that hill, I would run out of gas.”
“You might as well be rock climbing, that one stretch is so steep,” laughed Inman Huffman, a LaGrange High Junior. “Knowing what’s coming next on these trails is certainly a real big advantage.”
LaGrange High School Senior Amelia Gale rests with a big smile after the girl's cross country race.
An Inspirational Place to Run
Whispering Hills offers up a unique mix of beautiful scenery and challenging grassy trails that wind through the memorial nature preserve. “We love it out here as a team. It’s a wonderful place to take in the views and to push yourself to the max on the course,” explained Katie Hill, a LaGrange High School freshman who took top honors in the high school girls meet. “I love competing and pushing myself to be the best I can. At the end of the race, I’m out of breath and know that was all I could’ve given it.”
LaGrange Senior Grace Johnson earned second place. “We’ve got a great team this year, and a big reason is our focus and the toughness of these trails at Whispering Hills. We’ve trained on them all season and that hard work is paying off out here.”
Grace’s mom, watching near the finish line, enjoyed seeing other teams taking in the landscape. “I’m super excited and proud to see all of these kids come out to give it their all on our beautiful home course that is really shining today,” noted Paula Johnson. “It’s great that so many people were introduced to Whispering Hills during such an important competition. Hope to see more meets out here next year.”
LaGrange High School's Katie Hill and Grace Johnson won first and second place respectively.
On to the Regionals and State Meets
“This is a real dream come true, seeing our vision of the county championship meet at Whispering Hills actually happen just two years into this being our home course,” Coach Mormon said with a smile. “These trails have been a real difference maker for our team.”
“I’m really proud of our team and to be part of this great group of dedicated runners,” noted Baker, who went on to place 3rd along with Katie Hill among the 34 teams competing in the sectionals tournament. “Our team did extremely well in these crucial meets and these trails at Whispering Hills really showed out too. I’m very hopeful this becomes the home of many important meets for years to come.”
LaGrange High School also made it to the State Cross Country Championships, realizing the goal the team set at the beginning of the season. “This really is a special bunch,” Coach Mormon said, grinning. “While our girls made it to state in back-to-back years now, it’s been six years since our boys team made it to the state tourney. It’s quite an accomplishment and team effort that absolutely includes our partnership with Whispering Hills.”
The LaGrange High School Girl's team took first place honors at the County Championship.
For more information about Whispering Hills Natural Green Cemetery and Memorial Nature Preserve, visit www.whisperinghillspreserve.com.
