MORROW, Ga. – May 29, 2008 – With the 2008 outdoor track and field season officially concluded, the Clayton State Lakers took two postseason awards recently from the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). Junior Ahmad Rolle earned USTFCCCA South Region Athlete of the Year honors, while Clayton State assistant coach Clive Caesar won South Region Assistant Coach of the Year.

Rolle, a junior from Nassau, Bahamas, who earned Division II All-American honors at the 2008 Indoor Championships with a fourth-place finish in the triple jump, was honored in March as the region’s Indoor Field Athlete of the Year. He set school records in both the long jump (22-7¼ feet) and triple jump (48-7¾ feet) this outdoor season and holds the indoor marks in both events at 23-3¼ feet for the long jump and 49-7¼ feet in the triple jump.

He competed in last week’s NCAA Division II outdoor championships finishing ninth in the triple jump with a leap of 48-5¼ feet.

"Ahmad had a productive indoor and outdoor season and represented us well this year," said Clayton State head coach Mike Mead. "It’s the first time we’ve had someone receive a USTFCCCA award for both indoor and outdoor season in the same year. Since we’re moving to another region next season, Ahmad just might sweep the award again."

Caesar, a former Laker runner and Riverdale High School graduate, recently completed his sixth season with the Clayton State program coaching the sprints and jumps. During his time, Caesar has coached six Division II All-Americans, including Rolle and Kim Larry, who both earned Division II All-American honors this spring.

This season marks just the second year that the USTFCCCA has awarded Assistant Coach of the Year honors to Division II coaches.

"Clive is very deserving of this coaching award," Mead said. "I thought he should have received it last year, but it’s all about paying your dues and Clive has done that. He’s worked closely with many of the All-Americans our program has produced in the past four years.

"He has been dedicated to the program and the kids and the results speak for themselves."