Scott Nickerson
Elmore Autauga News
Wetumpka’s Gavan Baxley graduated in 2023 and is currently in his third year running cross country at Troy University. Baxley is the first former Indian to compete in cross country at the Division 1 level, and he is the first former Indian to compete in cross country in a Division 1 conference.
“Troy is one of the schools I rooted for growing up,” said Baxley. “My first ever football game was a Troy game. Coach Brian Cunningham was willing to take a chance on someone who didn’t necessarily have the times that most Division 1 recruits have, and with proper training, I’ve been able to reach goals that seemed impossible in high school.”
While in high school, Baxley was the Wetumpka High School Class President for the Class of 2023. He was also the 2023 Joe Sewell Memorial Overall Winner. Baxley ran cross country for the Indians and was the 2023 6A Section 2 individual winner and helped lead the Indians to three 6A Section 2 championships. He was also a 9-time state championship finalist.
“I started running cross country going into 8th grade. I still played football at the time and did both in the same season. Growing up, I always wanted to be a college athlete. Eventually, I realized that cross country and track were the sports for me to do that.”
In his two years at Troy, Baxley has maintained a 3.9 GPA while also running track. He is a 3-time Sun Belt Championship Finalist. However, Baxley plans to graduate early, so this will be his final year running at Troy.
“My hope is to help our team improve our finishing position at the conference championship meets. I came into Troy with a group of eight freshmen on a team that had struggled the year prior. Now that we have a group of older guys, it feels like we can put the program in the right direction and leave it better than we found it. That is my goal.”
Baxley’s impact at Troy and in his hometown of Wetumpka goes deeper than track and field. He has been involved in the journalism program and as a broadcaster in the athletic program. He called his first college game when Troy softball faced Auburn his freshman year, and continues to call games for Troy softball, as well as filling in for Troy baseball, volleyball, and basketball.
“Learning from Barry McKnight has been an incredible blessing. I also interned for the Montgomery Biscuits over the summer and assisted Jack Sadighian in play-by-play duties there. For the last three summers, I have accompanied Doug Amos to SEC Football Media Days in Nashville, Dallas, and Atlanta to be on his radio show on 107.5 FM.”
The versatile Wetumpka grad has called a whopping 108 games across seven different sports, including football, basketball, baseball, softball, volleyball, soccer, and even stock car racing.
“I hope to continue to do play-by-play for a career. I love being able to tell stories of different teams and players through broadcasting.”
In spite of all he is doing, Baxley is still involved with his hometown. He is currently hosting the Tribal Talk coaches show at Wharf Casual Seafood in Wetumpka every Tuesday.
“The hope is to use it to better connect Wetumpka athletics and fans.”
