NEWNAN, Ga. – With three weeks of rest, Clayton State men's cross country clearly brought fresh legs to the course as they won the SCAD Invitational ahead of six other teams on Friday, September 30.
 
The win is the program's first since claiming the West Georgia Wolves XC Invitational on September 11, 2015 in Carrollton, Georgia. With 33 points, the Lakers finished well ahead of West Georgia (52 points) this time as well and bested host Savannah College of Art & Design (69 points).
 
Senior Marcus Lafleur (Douglasville, Ga.) was outstanding on the 8k course as he earned the victory with a time of 26:59.90 for a team-best one point. He finished nearly 23 seconds ahead of teammate and fellow senior Troy Hickom (Cartersville, Ga.) who placed second with a time of 27:22.80 and two points.
 
Sophomore Ryan Polk (Marietta, Ga.) added to the strong effort as he finished 5-of-56 (27:42.80, 5 pts) and was followed by sophomore T.J. Witherspoon (Thomasville, Ga.) in 13^th. He posted a time of 28:59.50 with 11 points and Keldren Reddick rounded out the top four performers in 19^th (29:37.80, 14 pts).
 
A trip to Charlotte, N.C. is next on the docket on October 7 as Clayton State competes in the Royals Challenge. That 8k event is set to begin at 4 p.m.
 
Clayton State Finishers at SCAD Invitational
Marcus Lafleur – 1-of-56 (26:59.90, 1 point)
Troy Hickom – 2-of-56 (27:22.80, 2 pts)
Ryan Polk – 5-of-56 (27:42.80, 5 pts)
T.J. Witherspoon – 13-of-56 (28:59.50, 11 pts)
Keldren Reddick – 17-of-56 (29:37.80, 14 pts)
Evan Ortiz - 19-of-56 (30:03.70, 16 pts)
Alex Sanchez – 22-of-56 (30:46.70, 19 pts)
Michael Chand – 28-of-56 (31:55.60, N/A pts)