Men's Cross Country | July 16, 2025

MORROW, Ga. – Head Clayton State Cross Country Coach Troy Hickom announced on Wednesday morning that he signed six newcomers to the team for the 2025 season.  Coach Hickom is also bringing back an athlete that previously competed on the team. 
 
COACH HICKOM'S THOUGHTS
"This season we have retained our core group from last year," said Hickom. "I am extremely excited about our new additions, as they add to our depth across the board. I cannot wait to kick off the year.  I envision that this new crew will elevate our program even further."
 
WOMEN'S NEWCOMERS
Coach Hickom signed four newcomers to the team for the 2025 season.  These four newcomers hail from two different states and from Germany.  Headlining this class is senior Jada Warren.  Warren arrives back to Morrow after competing for Georgia College and State last season.  Prior to GCSU, Warren led the Lakers in all 10 races run from 2022-2023.  She holds the 13^th fastest time in program history, clocking a final time of 19:13.1 at the PBC XC Championships back in 2023.  
 
Coach Hickom also signed transfer India Williamson. Williamson, who is a native of Kessel Germany and ran two years at Florida Gateway College, was a qualifier for the NJCAA National Championships and finished in the top 25 in the Regional Championships in both seasons.  India clocked her best 5K time at the 2023 National Championships finishing in 21:05.8.  Williamson was also a three-time High School XC State Qualifier at Worth County HS and was the Region 1-AA Champion as a junior. 
 
The Lakers also welcome two freshman newcomers in Amaya Myers and Maleena Castilla.  Myers, who is a native of Warner Robins, Ga., was a track & field standout.  In four seasons, Myers was a three-time region runner up in the 3200m, 4x400m relay, and the mile run.  As a senior, Amaya was the regional champion in the 800m run.  Myers was also a very well-rounded student involved with many clubs including Student Government, Beta Club, and Theatre.  Rounding out the women is Maleena Castilla.  A native of Newark, N.J., Castilla was a two-time Scholar Athlete selection and was all-county and placed in the top eight in the 4x800m relay both years competed. 
 
This group of newcomers join a team that consists of returners Ivorie Smith, Marley Tate, Ahlana Failey, and Kalkidan Hawkins. 
 
MEN'S NEWCOMERS
Coach Hickom welcomes three newcomers to the team for the 2025 season.  The three newcomers hail from two different states.  Highlighting this class is transfer Dion Dial.  Dial, who is a native of Las Vegas, Nev., competed for the College of Southern Nevada the past two seasons.  In two seasons, Dial competed in the 2023 & 2024 NJCAA National Championships and clocked his best 8K time of 26:54.5.
 
Rounding out the transfer newcomers is Abubakr Jallow.  Jallow, who ran at Marion Military Institute the past two seasons, was a two-time Region and NJCAA National Championship qualifier. He clocked his best 8K time at the Calhoun Warhawk Invitational on October 13^th, 2023, finishing with a time of 28:32.8.  In addition, he ran the 800m, mile, and 4x400m in track & field.  Jallow was a two-year letterwinner for track & cross country at Marietta HS. 
 
Rounding out the class of newcomers is Josh Soluade.  Soluade, who is a native of Douglassville, Ga., competed for Douglas County HS for four seasons.  Josh is a two-time State XC Championship qualifier and was selected as an All-Region selection as a junior.  He also is the current record holder in the 4x800m relay with a time of 7:51.73.  In addition, Soluade is also a Georgia Merit Scholar and has consistently been placed on the A-Honor Roll all for fours. 
 
These three newcomers join a team that placed fourth at the PBC Cross Country Championships last season that consists of Camron Gaddis, Rakiem Barnes, Brandon Nolen, James Morrow, Mykell Strickland, Emanuel Dixon, Nehemiah Horton, Terry Mitchner, and Miles Johnson. 
 
WHAT'S NEXT?
The cross country team opens its 2025 season competing in the UNG Nighthawk Invitational on Friday, September 12^th.  Please visit claytonstatesports.com for more information about all things Laker cross country!
 
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