By Kevin Eckleberry

kevin.eckleberry@lagrangenews.com

LAGRANGE – She’ll be running with the Lions.

LaGrange High’s Demia Mitchell, a multi-sport standout, is going to get an opportunity to compete in track and field for the Piedmont College Lions.

Mitchell was joined by those closest to her during a ceremony last week where she announced her intention to go to Piedmont, a Division III school in Demorest, which is near Gainesville.

“She had a top three list, and they were in her top three,” said Nick Griffin, the track and field coach at LaGrange High. “They really stood out for her because she really wanted to pursue art as far as a major. She and her family went on a visit, and she loved it, and she fell in love with it immediately. She’ll have a lot of opportunities there academically, and obviously athletically.”

Mitchell was a standout in the 100-meter dash, the 200-meter dash, as well as the 400-meter run.

Beyond what she did on the track, Griffin said Mitchell was an outstanding leader on the team whether it as “just from showing up on time, to even making sure that other people, not just the girls, were held accountable.”

“Her attitude every day at practice, she was always at the front of the line,” Griffin added. “She was one of your ideal student-athletes that you’re proud of as far as the program.”

Mitchell was also critical to the success enjoyed by the LaGrange basketball team last season.

She didn’t start, but she was a valuable player off the bench, and coach Stephen Tuck said her maturity stood out.

“I always called her the mom of the team,” Tuck said. “She was always the level-headed one, the more mature one of the whole entire team.

“I’m definitely going to miss having her. I’m definitely excited for this next stage in her life, though.”

Mitchell helped LaGrange finish second in Region 5-AAAA, and it won a game in the state tournament.

“You’re talking about a girl who are all summer, we talked to her about building her confidence,” Tuck said. “This season, she came out of her shell. She had a confidence about herself.”

Mitchell is one of three members of the LaGrange track team that will be playing a sport in college.

Cordarius Grissom is heading to Campbellsville (Ky.) to play football, and Griffin said he’ll also get an opportunity to run track.

“Grissom actually got a walk-on deal as far as track,” Griffin said. “I talked to the track coach at Campbellsville where he’s going, and they’ll be more than happy to have him walk on and help the team.”

Marcus Fannin is going to Walford University in Iowa to play football.

OF NOTE: For more photos from Mitchell’s signing ceremony, check out Facebook.com/LDNSports