MORROW, Ga. – For the straight year, throughout the summer, the Clayton State Sports Information Office is counting down the Top-10 stories of the 2016-17 season following another impressive year. Today, we kick off the list with a group of Honorable Mentions prior to releasing the remainder of the Top-10 list.
 
The full Top-10 list will begin on Friday, June 2 and run through August 4 when the No. 1 moment is announced. Below are a number of some the most notable stories and accomplishments that just missed the cut for this year's Clayton State Athletics Top-10 Countdown.
 
Make sure to check www.ClaytonStateSports.com every Friday to catch the latest release.
 
Clayton State Athletics Inducts Fourth Hall of Fame Class
With 27 years of illustrious history, Clayton State Athletics inducted its fourth Hall of Fame Class. Announced on January 15, this latest class featured four individuals who overcame tremendous adversity to leave an indelible mark on Laker Athletics. Inducted on February 11, that group consisted of members of men's basketball, men's soccer, women's soccer and a longtime member of the Clayton State family. View their photo gallery and the Hall of Fame through these links.
 
Founding President Dr. Harry S. Downs Passes Away
On January 3, 2017, Clayton State's founding president Dr. Harry S. Downs passed away at the age of 91. Instrumental in not only the continued success of the institution, but it's very founding, Downs served as president from 1969 through 1993. A member of the Clayton State Hall of Fame (Class of 2016), Downs was remembered at the 2017 induction.
 
Athletics Award Ceremony Highlights 2016-17 Season Accomplishments
With an audience of more than 200 individuals in attendance at the Harry S. Downs Center for Continuing Education, Clayton State Athletics celebrated the 2016-17 season with the 27^th Annual Athletics Award Ceremony on April 28, 2017. That evening also included videos detailing each team's season as well as a photo gallery.
 
Former Clayton State Student-Athlete, Current SID Deliver Award Winning Coverage
For just the second time in program history, first since 1994, the Clayton State Sports Information Office was recognized as a district winner in CoSIDA's Fred Stabley, Sr. Writing Contest. Former women's soccer student-athlete Charlotte McCormack did the research and authored the release on the success of Jenny Dreasler while Sports Information Director aided with proofing and graphic work.
 
Men's Golf's Knocks Off No. 6 and No. 13 Ranked Teams, Caballero Earns PBC Golfer of the Week From Newberry Invitational Performances
Junior Andres Caballero (Mexico City, Mexico) earned Peach Belt Conference Golfer of the Week honors on February 23. That followed a tremendous performance at the Third Annual Newberry Invitational in which the Lakers earned a runner-up finish while finishing ahead of No. 6 Missouri-St. Louis and No. 13 USC Aiken. Caballero finished third overall and would tie for fourth the following week at the Pirate Invitational.
 
Men's Cross Country Wins SCAD Invitational; Places Three in Top Five
The Lakers would deliver a victory for the second straight season, this time winning the SCAD Invitational ahead of six other teams. Senior Marcus Lafleur (Douglasville, Ga.) led the way with a victory of his own and was followed by senior Troy Hickom (Cartersville, Ga.) and sophomore Ryan Polk (Marietta, Ga.) in second and fifth, respectively.
 
Lafleur Earns All-PBC, Paces Lakers at NCAA Southeast Regional Cross Country Meet
His SCAD performance would be just the beginning for Lafleur as he would finish ninth at the Peach Belt Conference Championships, earning All-PBC honors. Several weeks later he would pace Clayton State at the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional, placing 30-of-169.
 
Women's Cross Country Earns Runner-Up Finish at SCAD Invitational
Led by a tremendous 6-of-83 performance by sophomore Carla Catala (Barcelona, Spain), Clayton State women's cross country earned a runner-up finish at the SCAD Invitational. In so doing, they finished ahead of nine other teams and trailed only host SCAD.
 
Catala Leads Lakers at PBC and NCAA Division II Regional Meets
Much like her counterpart on the men's side, Catala led the women's cross country team in their two most important meets of the year. She finished 41-of-105 at the Peach Belt Conference Championships before placing 51-of-182 at NCAA Division II Southeast Regionals.
 
Lakers' Alisha  Filmore Attends 2017 NCAA Emerging Leaders Seminar
At the end of January, graduate assistant for athletic administration Alisha Filmore benefitted from the opportunity to attend the 2017 NCAA Emerging Leaders Seminar. Held at the NCAA headquarters in Indianapolis, Indiana, she had the opportunity to network with individuals from all levels and from across the country. Upon her return, she shared all that she had learned with a daily breakdown of events.
 
The Schedule
Every Friday throughout the Summer and leading up to the 2017-18 preseason, the SID Office will release the list one at a time beginning with the No. 10 story on June 2. The No. 1 story in Clayton State Athletics, as chosen by the Sports Information Office, will be released on Friday, August 4.
 
Countdown to the Top-10 Clayton State Athletics Stories from 2016-17
No. 1 – Coming August 4
No. 2 – Coming July 29
No. 3 – Coming July 22
No. 4 – Coming July 15
No. 5 – Coming July 7
No. 6 – Coming June 30
No. 7 – Coming June 23
No. 8 – Coming June 16
No. 9 – Coming June 9
No. 10 – Coming June 2
Honorable Mention