Men's Cross Country | September 16, 2023

MACON, Ga. – The Clayton State University cross country teams competed in the Julius Johnson Invitational at the Georgia Premier Cross Country Course on Saturday morning.  The women's team finished in third with 79 points while the men's team finished fourth with 105 points. All Laker runners earned season PRs. 

WOMEN'S RACE
Leading the charge for the Lakers were Jada Warren and Story Alexander.  Warren continues her strong start to the season as she crossed the finish line in 8^th place with a final time of 20:25.9.  Alexander then finished in 13^th place with a final time of 20:54.7.  Following close behind was Tanaeya Johnson.  Johnson, who finished in 16^th place, clocked a final time of 21:06.0.  Ahlana Failey and Ivorie Smith rounded out the top five finishers for the Lakers.  Failey finished in 23^rd place clocking a time of 22:29.7 while Smith crossed the finish line in 27^th place with a time of 22:29.7. 

Final Team Standings:

1. Mercer: 15 points
2. Georgia College: 53 points
3. Clayton State: 79 points
4. Benedict: 122 points
5. Albany State: 132 points
6. Clark Atlanta: 167 points
7. Brewton-Parker: 212 points
8. Abraham Baldwin: 224 points
9. Central Ga. Tech: 248 points

Below are all the Laker Finishers: (Out of 65 runners)

• 8^th: Jada Warren: 20:25.9
• 13^th: Story Alexander: 20:54.7
• 16^th: Tanaeya Johnson: 21:06.0
• 23^rd: Ahlana Failey: 22:29.7
• 27^th: Ivorie Smith: 22:52.2
• 28^th: JaBresha Palmer: 23:03.2
• 31^st: Mikayla Osborne: 24:03.4
• 42^nd: Brianna Eggleston: 28:06.5

MEN'S RACE
Leading the charge for the Lakers for the second straight meet was Camron Gaddis.  Gaddis crossed the finish line in 16^th place with a time of 27:55.11.  That time is a season PR for Gaddis.  Running in second and third place for the Lakers was Rakiem Barnes and Nevin Swanson.  Barnes finished in 25^th place with a time of 29:09.5 while Swanson crossed the finish line in 26^th place with a final time of 29:14.5.  Rounding out the top five finishers was Kharyi Davis and Terry Mitchner.  Davis finished in 31^st place with a time of 29:40.9 while Mitchner crossed the finish line in 36^th place with a time of 30:09.2. 

Final Team Standings:

1. Mercer: 20 points
2. Georgia College: 61 points
3. Morehouse: 92 points
4. Clayton State: 105 points
5. Brewton-Parker: 132 points
6. Benedict: 173 points
7. Abraham Baldwin: 177 points

Below are all the Laker Finishers: (Out of 69 runners)

• 16^th: Camron Gaddis: 27:55.0
• 25^th: Rakiem Barnes: 29:09.5
• 26^th: Nevin Swanson: 29:14.5
• 31^st: Khayri Davis: 29:40.0
• 36^th: Terry Mitchner: 30:09.2
• 41^st: Sancho Smith: 31:13.9
• 48^th: Lance Little: 31:34.9
• 49^th: Mykell Strickland: 31:44.6
• 52^nd: Danny Ortega: 32:32.8

WHAT'S NEXT?
The Lakers host the Asics/Alexander Invitational at Bouckaert Farms in Fairburn, Ga. on Saturday September 30^th.  The men's race begins at 7:50 a.m. while the women's race starts at 8:50 a.m.  Please visit claytonstatesports.com for the most updated information regarding the meet. 

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