By Kevin Eckleberry

Sports Editor

Alyssa McCants and Skyler Edmonds took the top spots in Thursday’s county championshp at Pyne Road Park to lead the LaGrange High cross country teams to the county titles.

McCants, a junior, completed the 3.1-mile course in 23 minutes, 12 seconds to win the county meet for the second straight year.

Edmonds, meanwhile, continued his strong junior season with his second victory to go along with two runner-up finishes.

In the team competition, LaGrange edged Troup by nine points to claim the boys’ county title.

Troup was hoping to unseat LaGrange, but it wasn’t to be.

“They’re just a little deeper right now,” Troup coach Pete Anderson said. “I’ve got to give them the credit.”

LaGrange got a big lift from Jackson Montgomery, who finished third with a time of 18:49.

“We had two runners that usually finish ahead of him,” Anderson said. “He was big for them today.”

Kyle Adams, who shadowed Edmonds (18:37) the whole race, came in second at 18:44

Callaway’s Kendall Hyatt, who coach Matt Leonard said “has been consistent all season,” was fourth (19:06), and Troup’s Tyler Hancock (19:10) was fifth.

Troup’s James Rensenhouse (19:12) was sixth, followed by a quartet of LaGrange runners, John Parker (19:32), Luke Criddle (19:33), Stephen English (19:42) and Henry Coggins (20:17).

Troup’s Kenneth Jeter (20:30) finished 11th, Callaway’s Park Neese (20:34) was 12th, Troup’s Nate Hardy (20:35) was 13th, Callaway’s Ryan Kiss (20:52) was 14th, and Troup’s Brock Railey (21:04) finished 15th.

Rounding out the top 20 were Troup’s Parker Hancock (21:24), Troup’s Jannis Kaiser (21:29), LaGrange’s Walter Klinkenberg (21:34), LaGrange’s Mark Howser (21:36) and Troup’s Ryan Leonard (21:40).

In the girls’ race, LaGrange finished well ahead of Troup to claim the team championship.

McCants finished 11 seconds ahead of teammate Sarah Allred (23:23) to repeat as county champ.

McCants posted her second best time of the season.

Her best time came at a meet at Callaway High on Oct. 13 when she finished second with a time of 21:31.

The Pyne Road course, McCants said, “is a little tougher than most courses, but I like it a lot.”

Jesse Turner (24:40) followed McCants and Allred across the finish line, and Troup’s Rebecca Rensenhouse (24:51) came in with a fourth-place finish.

The rest of the top 10 belonged to LaGrange, with Lydia Duquette (24:52) finishing fifth followed by Lauren Lacefield (25:08), Ashley Greene (25:29), Abbey Darden (26:20), Abbey Barnett (26:38) and Katherine Price (26:40).

Troup’s Joanna Rensenhouse (27:14) was 11th, LaGrange’s Chandler Ferguson (28:01) was 12th, Troup’s Maddie Headrick (28:04) was 13th, Troup’s Katie Schmidt (28:25) was 14th, and LaGrange’s Zoe Wegienka (29:09) finished 15th.

Completing the top 20 were LaGrange’s Taylor Nelson (31:03), LaGrange’s Katherine Sellman (31:17), LaGrane’s Taylor Jolly (32:04), Troup’s  Kristen Kemp (32:24) and LaGrange’s Sara Kate Bradfield (32:29).

The Lady Grangers appear to be rounding into shape as the region meet approaches later this month.

“We’ve gotten a lot better,” McCants said. “Everyone has improved a lot.”