Women's Cross Country | September 30, 2023

FAIRBURN, Ga. – The Clayton State University cross country teams hosted the Asics/Alexander Invitational on Saturday morning.  The men's team finished sixth while the women's team finished in fifth. The race was held at Bouckaert Farms in Fairburn, Ga. 
 
MEN'S RACE
In the men's race, Camron Gaddis continues to lead the Lakers this season as he finished in fifth place with a final time of 26:19.84.  That time is good for a career best for Gaddis by over a minute and is 15^th best time in program history passing current head coach Troy Hickom.  Following Gaddis was Rakiem Barnes.  The Laker sophomore finished in 20^th place with a final time of 27:02.19.  That time was also a PR for Barnes. 
 
Nevin Swanson and Terry Mitchner finished third and fourth on the team.  Swanson clocked a final time of 27:30.89 and finished in 32^nd place while Mitchner crossed the finish line in 50^th place with a time of 28:28.35.  Both of those times are good for new PRs for Mitchner and Swanson.  Rounding out the top five on the team was Nehemiah Horton.  Horton finished in 65^th with a final time of 29:29.24. 
 
Below are the full standings:

1. Columbus State: 46 Points
2. Carson-Newman: 74 Points
3. Life: 100 points
4. West Alabama: 105 Points
5. Bob Jones: 127 Points
6. Clayton State: 142 Points
7. Point: 165 Points
8. Oxford College: 190 Points
9. Brewton-Parker: 211 Points
10. Philander Smith: 290 Points
11. Clark Atlanta: 338 Points
12. Shelton State CC: 359 Points
13. Fort Valley State: 366 Points

 
Below are how all Laker runners finished:
5^th: Camron Gaddis: 26:19.84*
20^th: Rakiem Barnes: 27:02.19*
32^nd: Nevin Swanson: 27:30.89*
50^th: Terry Mitchner: 28:28.35*
65^th: Nehemiah Horton: 29:29.34*
68^th: Lance Little: 29:36.42*
71^st: Mykell Strickland: 30:02.21*
72^nd: Sancho Smith: 30:14.58
*Laker PRs
** The places do not include unattached runners as they were left off the individual leaderboard.
 
WOMEN'S RACE
Leading the charge for the women's team was Jada Warren and Story Alexander.  Warren, who ran her fastest time as a Laker, finished in 12^th place overall with a time of 19:23.51.  That time is good for the 19^th fastest time in program history.  Alexander then finished in 13^th place with a time of 19:26.05.  That time is good for 20^th place in program history.  Following close behind was Tanaeya Johnson.  Johnson crossed the finish line in 33rd place clocking a time of 20:28.69.  All three of those ladies earned career PRs with those final times.  Rounding out the top five Laker finishers were JaBresha Palmer and Ivorie Smith.  Palmer ran in 48^th place with a final time of 21:51.46 while Smith landed in 57^th place with a final time of 22:19.10.
 
Below are the full standings:

1. Carson-Newman: 15 Points
2. Georgia State: 47 Points
3. Georgia Southern: 72 Points
4. Columbus State: 118 Points
5. Clayton State: 141 Points
6. Bob Jones: 170 Points
7. Albany State: 222 Points
8. Shelton State CC: 232 Points
9. Brenau: 263 Points
10. Life: 271 Points
11. Spring Hill: 299 Points
12. Philander Smith: 328 Points
13. West Alabama: 333 Points
14. Fort Valley State: 365 Points
15. Miles: 414 Points

 
Below are how all Laker runners finished:
12^th: Jada Warren: 19:23.51*
13^th: Story Alexander: 19:26.05*
33^rd: Tanaeya Johnson: 20:28.69*
48^th: JaBresha Palmer: 21:51.46*
57^th: Ivorie Smith: 22:19.10
62^nd: Ahlana Failey: 22:53.98
89^th: Brianna Eggleston: 26:26.31*
 
*Laker PRs
** The places do not include unattached runners as they were left off the individual leaderboard.
 
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Laker cross country teams compete in their final tune-up before the Peach Belt Conference (PBC) meet at the UAH Charger XC Invitational on Saturday, October 7^th.  The men's race is set to shoot off at 9 a.m. while the women's race will start at 9:50 a.m. Those times are in Eastern.
 
Be sure to follow Clayton State Athletics on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.