Men's Cross Country | November 7, 2026

MACON, Ga. – The Clayton State University cross country teams competed in the 2026 Peach Belt Conference Cross Country Championships at the Georgia Premiere Cross Country Course in Macon.  The Lakers competed hard and posted some solid times. 
 
MEN'S SIDE
The Lakers finished seventh out of nine teams with Augusta taking home the conference title followed by Flagler.  Leading the Lakers in this meet was Dion Dial.  The Clayton State senior finished in 30^th place with a time of 27:24. Mykell Strickland and Nehemiah Horton followed close behind.  Strickland placed 41^st with a time of 27:53.7 while Horton took home 63^rd place with a final time of 29:48.3. 
 
Aiden Frye and Miles Johnson rounded out the Laker field with times of 29:51.1 and 30:31.3 as the Lakers finished seventh as a team. Johnson was the lone Laker who set a new PR in the PBC XC Championships. 
 
Below are the full results for the Lakers:

• 30^th: Dion Dial: 27:24.0
• 41^st: Mykell Strickland: 27:53.7
• 63^rd: Nehemiah Horton: 29:48.3
• 64^th: Aiden Frye: 29:51.1
• 80^th: Miles Johnson: 30:31.3

 
WOMEN'S SIDE
The Lakers, on the women's side, finished ninth out of 11 schools with Augusta edging out Flagler for the Conference Title.  Leading the way for the Lakers was Ahlana Failey.  Failey finished in 59^th with a time of 21:34.8.  Following behind were sophomores Maleena Castillo and Amaya Myers.  Castillo, who finished in 66^th, clocked a time of 21:52.7 which is her best PBC Championship time in her career and her second best overall time while at Clayton State.  Myers, who finished third on the team, logged a time of 22:26.7, which is better than her time at the Championships last season. 
 
Rounding out the top five for the Lakers was India Williamson and Juana Cervantes-Gonzalez.  Williamson finished with a time of 23:55.1 while Cerventes-Gonzalez crossed the finish line in 25:21.0.  Also, Madilyn Stark made her season debut and raced to a time of 27:37.9. 
 
Below is the full list of finishers for the Lakers:

• 59^th: Ahlana Failey: 21:34.8
• 66^th: Maleena Castillo: 21:52.7
• 71^st: Amaya Myers: 22:26.7
• 84^th: India Williamson: 23:55.7
• 90^th: Juana Cervantes-Gonzalez: 25:21.0
• 102^nd: Madilyn Stark: 27:37.9

 
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Lakers conclude their 2026 season at the 2026 NCAA Division II Southeast Regionals, hosted by Converse University.  The race in Spartanburg, S.C. is scheduled for Saturday, November 21^st.  Please visit claytonstatesports.com for more information as the date gets closer. 
 
Be sure to follow Clayton State Athletics, "South Atlanta's College Team" on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.