Men's Cross Country | October 26, 2024

OAKWOOD, Ga. – The Clayton State University cross country teams competed in the 2024 Peach Belt Conference Meet on Saturday morning.  The men's team finished fourth, which is the best finish since 2011, while the women finished in seventh. 

COACH HICKOM'S THOUGHTS
"It was a very impressive team effort today," said Hickom. " We saw a lot of personal bests but more importantly, both teams competed hard.  We got very close to our rival Georgia College but we were outmatched.  The results shows our positive trajectory and I am excited to know that we will continue to build upon this success."
 
MEN'S RACE
The men were led by junior captain Camron Gaddis.  Gaddis finished in 24^th with a time of 26:22.5.  He was followed by fellow junior Rakiem Barnes and freshman Emanuel Dixon.  Barnes and Dixon finished in 35^th and 36^th and ran times of 26:59.6 and 27 minutes, flat, respectively.  The top five on the team were rounded out by Mykell Strickland and Brandon Nolen, who both ran a season PRs, finished in 47^th and 50^th, respectively. 
 
Full Standings:

1. Augusta: 15 points
2. Flagler: 45 points
3. Georgia College: 101 points
4. Clayton State:124 points
5. Lander: 159 points
6. USC Aiken: 169 points
7. Columbus State: 191 points
8. USC Beaufort: 211 points
9. GSW: 288 points

 
Below is a list of all Laker runners and how they finished:
24^th: Camron Gaddis: 26:22.5
35^th: Rakiem Barnes: 26:59.6
36^th: Emanuel Dixon: 27:00.0
47^th: Mykell Strickland: 27:54.8*
50^th: Brandon Nolen: 27:57.7*
51^st: James Morrow: 28:03.1*
53^rd: Nehemiah Horton: 28:41.8
 
*Season PR
 
WOMEN'S RACE
The Lakers, on the women's side, were led by Story Alexander, who finished in 41^st, with a time of 19:59.6.  That time is good for a season best for Story.  Following Story was Ivorie Smith and Marley Tate.  Smith ran in 46^th place and finished with a time of 20:13 and Tate, who finished in 48^th, clocked a time of 20.27.9. Smith ran a season best time.  Kalkidan Hawkins and JaBresha Palmer rounded out the top five for the Lakers.  Hawkins crossed the finish line in 58^th with a time of 21:27.9 while Palmer clocked a time of 23:15 and finished in 71^st. 
 
Full Standings:

1. Flagler: 19 points
2. Augusta: 45 points
3. North Georgia: 73 points
4. Georgia College: 111 points
5. Lander: 166 points
6. USC Aiken: 169 points
7. Clayton State: 197 points
8. Columbus State: 249 points
9. USC Beaufort: 260 points
10. GSW: 288 points

 
Below is the full list of runners for the Lakers:
41^st: Story Alexander: 19:59.6*
46^th: Ivorie Smith: 20:13.0*
48^th: Marley Tate: 20:27.9
58^th: Kalkidan Hawkins: 21:27.9*
71^st: JaBresha Palmer: 23:15.0
81^st: Brianna Eggleston: 26:04.9
84^th: Ashley Morris: 27:31.4*

*Season PR
 
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Laker cross country teams close out its 2024 season at the 2024 NCAA Division II SE Regionals on Saturday, November 9^th in Spartanburg, S.C. The times have yet to be announced.  Please visit claytonstatesports.com for more information.
 
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