COLUMBIA, S.C. – Led by the 4x400-meter relay team, Clayton State men's track & field posted a number of strong performances on Day 1 of the Carolina Challenge on Friday, February 1.
 
That group of sophomore Courtland White (Rex, Ga.), junior Chris Florence (Newnan, Ga.) and freshmen Janei Sewell (Newnan, Ga.) and freshman Churchill Ezeokonkwo (Riverdale, Ga.) notched a 5-of-17 finish with a time of 3:24.29 to headline the Lakers top performances.
 
Individually, Sewell would add a 43-of-95 (7.16) outing in the 60-meters while fellow freshman Derrick Ward (Marietta, Ga.) placed 18-of-30 in the 60-meter hurdles with a time of 8.74. Junior Evan Ortiz (McDonough, Ga.) came in 39-of-55 (9:41.148) in the 3,000-meters and freshman Michael Gray (Pooler, Ga.) rounded things out with a 69-of-130 (51.90) performance in the 400-meters.
 
Clayton State will wrap up the Carolina Challenge with a limited schedule tomorrow, Saturday, February 2. That will begin at 10 a.m. with a full recap on www.ClaytonStateSports.com following the day's action.
 
CLAYTON STATE MEN'S COMPETITORS – FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1 (10)
Zach Czerniak – 3,000-meters (45-of-55, 10:04.16)
Churchill Ezeokonkwo – 400-meters (89-of-130, 52.90), 4x400-meters (5-of-17, 3:24.29)
Chris Florence – 4x400-meters (5-of-17, 3:24.29)  
Michael Gray – 400-meters (69-of-130, 51.90)
Evan Ortiz – 3,000-meters (39-of-55, 9:41.148)
Alex Phillips – 60-meters (77-of-95, 7.43)
Janei Sewell – 60-meters (43-of-95, 7.16), 4x400-meters (5-of-17, 3:24.29)
Derrick Ward – 60-meter Hurdles (18-of-30, 8.74)
Eric Wells-Shiver – 60-meters (74-of-95, 7.40)
Courtland White – 4x400-meters (5-of-17, 3:24.29)