Clayton State Adds Two to Women’s Cross Country
Duo were teammates at Oklahoma City in 2011
MORROW, Ga. – July 10, 2012 – Clayton State University’s women’s cross country program got a boost with the recent signing of two transfers for the upcoming fall season. The duo will bolster Clayton State chances at a run for the Peach Belt Conference title, following the program’s second-place finish in the 2011 championship meet.
The two newcomers are Racquel Valadez and Kendra Wilson who both were teammates last season at Oklahoma City University. “Kendra and Racquel are going to give us much needed depth that we have not had in our program for a few years,” said Laker head coach Mike Mead. “I believe the change of scenery will benefit them and our team this fall.”
Valadez, a sophomore from Colorado Springs, Colo., competed in both cross country and track at Oklahoma City this past year. Last fall she ran a season-best of 20:16 for 5K and was a solid Top 5 runner for OCU. During track season, Valadez ran a limited schedule with a best of 5:17.73 in the 1500m run.
In high school, Valadez ran for Vista Ridge H.S. in Colorado Springs. She ran a career-best 19:40 for 5K cross country and ran 12:21 for the 3200m run in track. Valadez will be majoring in Sociology at Clayton State.
Wilson, a sophomore from Olympia, Wash., competed in cross country for OCU last fall and was consistently the team’s No. 2 runner. She ran a career-best of 19:37 for 5K last fall.
During high school, Wilson ran for Tumwater H.S. in cross country and track. She ran a best of 20:14 for 5K in cross country and 12:44 for 3200m during track season. Wilson plans to major in political science.
Valadez and Wilson are the second and third signees for the Clayton State cross country women’s squad. They join freshman signee Taylor Galvin from Posen, Ill. who was the Lakers’ first signee of the season and will be joining her sister, Paige Galvin, who will be the team’s captain and lone senior this fall.
Clayton State’s 18th season of cross country opens in September. Details of the season schedule will be released in the coming week.
