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Clayton State women place eighth, men 10^th
 at NCAA S. Region XC Championships

NCAA South Region Results
 HUNTSVILLE, AL – The Clayton College & State University women’s and men’s cross country teams teams finished in eighth and 10^th place, respectively in the NCAA South Region Cross Country Championships Saturday in Huntsville, AL. 

Junior Tony Juarez (East Hazel Crest, IL) led the Lakers in the event, setting a new school record in the 10K with a time of 33:07.5, while freshman Heather Krehbiel (Peachtree City, GA) had the top finish for the women’s team, placing 25^th with a personal best time of 23:15.0. In only her second 6K of her career, she posted the fourth fastest time in Clayton State history. 

Despite missing two of its top six runners, including two-time All-Peach Belt Conference performer Kim Daniel who was out with an injury, the Laker women’s team had their third best finish ever in the region meet. 

Pach Belt Conference rivals North Florida and Kennesaw State University took the top two spots on the women’s side with North Florida edging KSU by eight points. Harding placed third with 74 points, followed by Tampa, Alabama-Huntsville, Florida Southern and Central Arkansas.

Behind Krehbiel, junior Penny Tinker (Mesa, AZ) finished 38^th with a personal best time of 24:04, which ranked 10^th on the all-time Clayton State list. Senior La’Keshia Hayes (Lithonia, GA), in her last collegiate cross country race, ran a personal best time of 24:38.5, which was good for 51^st place and ranked 17^th in Clayton State history. 

Sophomore Stephanie Gilbert (Jonesboro, GA) placed 85^th with a time of 25:51.7, followed by freshman Danella Dutton (Hampton, GA) rounding out the scoring for Clayton State, finishing 102^nd with a personal best time of 26:53.3. Sophomore Nicole Wise (Jonesboro, GA) finished 108^th with a personal best time of 27:22.5. 

Behind Juarez on the men’s side, sophomore Adil Berkhedle (Scarborough, Ontario) finished 25^th with a personal best time of 33:41.7, followed by senior Mike O’Donnell (Chester, GA), placing 69^th with a time of 35:32.6.

Freshman Shane Kersten (Hinesville, GA) placed 70^th with a personal best time of 35:36.4, followed by sophomore Ron Robertson (Hinesville, GA) in 72^nd with a time of 35:52.1. Freshman Njoroge Ngaruiya (Kiambu, Kenya) placed 76^th with a time of 36:03.3, while sophomore Scribner Malloni (Milford, OH) finished 97^th with a personal best time of 37:10.8. 

Harding won the event in front of Peach Belt Conference rivals Kennesaw State and North Florida. West Florida and Florida Southern rounded out the top five.

###CCSU###

Clayton State cross country teams 
place third in Peach Belt Conference meet

Women's Results Men's Results
All Conference Teams

FLORENCE, SC --- The Clayton College & State University men’s and women’s cross country teams raced to the fastest team times in school history Saturday, as both teams placed third in the Peach Belt Conference Championships in Florence, SC.

The third place finish by the men’s squad was the program’s best ever finish in the conference event, while the third place finish by the women squad is after placing second in the PBC last season.

“I’m proud of the both the men’s and women’s teams,” said head coach Mike Mead. “Both teams ran the fastest team times in school history, which says a lot. The two teams that finished ahead of us, Kennesaw State and North Florida, are two quality Division II programs that are ranked nationally.”

The Kennesaw State men, ranked ninth in the country, won the conference event with a meet low of 23 points. North Florida finished second with 40 points, followed by Clayton State with 89, USC Spartanburg with 109 and Francis Marion rounding out the top five of the eight-team meet with 151 points.

On the women’s side, KSU, the fifth-ranked team in Division II, finished with 28 points to edge North Florida, the sixth-ranked team in the nation, by one point. Clayton State finished third in the meet with 92 points, followed by Georgia College & State University fourth with 153 points and Lander University fifth with 163 points in the 11-team event.

The Clayton State men, who averaged a school best team time of 26:32 for its top five runners, were led by sophomore Adil Berkhedle (Scarborough, Ontario), placing 10th. He set a new school record in the 8K with a time of 25:38.7 and became first Clayton State runner to ever record a time less than 26 minutes.

Junior Tony Juarez (East Hazel Crest, IL) barely missed breaking the 26-minute barrier, running a personal best time of 26:00.8. He placed 13th in the race and his time was the second best 8K in school history.

Both Berkhedle and Juarez garnered All-Peach Belt Conference honors for the second straight season with their finishes.

Senior Mike O’Donnell (Chester, GA) finished 22nd in the event with a personal best time of 26:39.3, followed by freshman Njoroge Ngaruiya (Kiambu, Kenya) running a collegiate best time of 27:01.8 to place 27^th. Freshman Shane Kersten (Hinesville, GA) finished 29th in the event with a personal best time of 27:20.55 to round out the scoring for Clayton State.

Sophomore Ron Robertson (Claxton, GA) finished 36th in the race with a personal best time of 28:19.9, while sophomore Scribner Malloni (Milford, OH) placed 38th with a time of 28:36.4, followed by and freshman Eric Wilkes (Stockbridge, GA), placing 42nd with a time of 29:04.

The Clayton State women, who averaged a school best team time of 19:52, were led by freshman Heather Krehbiel (Peachtree City, GA) as she finished 11th with a personal best time of 19:00.35. Her finish garnered her All-PBC honors and was one spot shy from Freshman of the Year honors. Krehbiel’s time was the eighth fastest 5K in school history and lowers her CCSU freshman record.

Sophomore Kim Daniel (Macon, GA), who was PBC Freshman of the Year and an All-Conference selection in 2001, finished 16^th in the race with a time of 19:28.4. Her finish garnered her All-PBC honors for the second straight season and was the 24th fastest 5K in school history.

Junior Penny Tinker (Mesa, AZ) finished 21st in the race with a time of 19:46, followed by senior La’Keshia Hayes (Lithonia, GA) in 23rd place with a time of 19:53.7. Sophomore Stephanie Gilbert placed 36th with a time of 21:10, followed by freshman Danella Dutton (Hampton, GA) finishing 40th with a personal best time of 21:53.25.

Sophomore Nicole Wise placed  60^th with a time of 22:52.05, followed by junior Melody Bogan (College Park, MD) in  61st with a time of 23:07. 

The Clayton State teams will take next week off before returning to action on Saturday, Nov. 9 for the NCAA Division II South Regionals, hosted by the University of Alabama Huntsville. 

##CCSU##

Clayton State Runners Gear for PBC meet

 MORROW, GA -- October 23, 2002 -- The Clayton College & State University cross country squads are ready for the Peach Belt Conference Championships for this Saturday at Francis Marion University in Florence, S.C.  The Clayton State squads will be making their 8^th appearance in the conference championship meet.  The lady Lakers will have a tough time repeating their second place finish of 2001, but the men are gunning for their highest finish since 1997.

 "We've had a great season to this point," said head coach Mike Mead.  "Kennesaw State and North Florida (the favorites in both races) are going to be hard to beat, but we'll see how everything plays out on Saturday.  The top four runners on each squad have a great chance at making all-conference.  We've had as many as three women and two men earn all-conference honors in one season.  We're going to try to improve on that distinction."

 The lady Lakers have a strong one-two combination in Heather Krehbiel and Kim Daniel.  Krehbiel, a freshman from Peachtree City (Starr's Mill H.S.), has had a standout season in her collegiate debut.  She has led the women's team in four of five meets this season which has included a career-best 19:11.86 for 5K, two individual wins and the CCSU freshman 5K record.  Daniel, a sophomore from Macon, has followed up her 2001 season, in which she was All-PBC, All-Region and the Peach Belt's Freshman of the Year, with a collegiate best 19:14.12, the CCSU sophomore 5K mark and has been a solid No. 2 runner for Clayton State this year.

 "Heather has had a tremendous year," said Mead.  "Kim has made measurable progress and both complement each other.  Depending on conditions Saturday, both are capable of running sub-19 on Saturday."

 Supporting Krehbiel and Daniel is Penny Tinker, a junior from Mesa, Ariz., and CCSU veteran La'Keshia Hayes, a senior from Lithonia.  Tinker ran a career-best of 19:41.0 two weeks ago and is in the hunt for all-conference honors.  Hayes will be attempting to set Clayton State history by becoming the first three-time All-PBC runner in Saturday's meet.

 "Penny has been a great addition to the program," said Mead.  "La'Keshia is primed for a sub-20 minute time that should have her in the hunt for all-conference.  La'Keshia has missed a month of racing, but she's fine and capable of making Clayton State history.  Because Kennesaw State is vastly improved, it's very tough for us to finish first or second this year.  I will be surprised, however, if we finish worse than third."

 The men's team has finished fifth in the Peach Belt the past two seasons and their best finish came in 1997 when they placed third.  The Lakers' best four this season have a realistic shot at all-conference status, led by Tony Juarez and Adil Berkhedle who were both All-PBC in 2001.  Juarez, a junior from East Hazel Crest, Ill., has led the Lakers all season.  He set the team 10K record at the season-opener and has run three of the Top 10 8K times in Laker history.  Berkhedle, a sophomore from Scarborough, Ontario has been a solid No. 2 or 3 runner most of the season. 

"Tony has been training and racing consistently all season," said Mead.  "He is ready to run some great races in the next few weeks.  He's a man on a mission.  The whole team seems focused and ready for the Peach Belt meet."

 Besides Juarez and Berkhedle, the Lakers' Mike O'Donnell and Njoroge Ngaruiya are poised for all-conference honors, too.  O'Donnell, a senior from Chester, Ga., was an All-PBC runner in 2000 and will seek his second Peach Belt award.  Ngaruiya, a freshman from Nairobi, Kenya, has made steady improvement over the course of the season.  Mead is also anticipating a good run from Shane Kersten, a surprise freshman walk-on from Hinesville, Ga.  Kersten has been the Lakers' No. 5 runner all season.

 "It's time for us to put the puzzle together and we're ready," said Mead.  "What we accomplish at conference will carry over for the NCAA region meet in November."

 Saturday's conference meet will award the Top 15 women's finishers and the Top 13 men's finishers with All-PBC honors.  A total of 10 Clayton State women have garnered All-PBC honors 13 times while six men have garnered all-conference honors in seven previous Peach Belt meets.  It will be a team first should Juarez, Berkhedle or O'Donnell earn All-PBC for a second time.  The men's 8K race will begin at 9 a.m., followed with the women's 5K race at 10 a.m.

CCSU men’s cross country team
dashes to Bobcat Invitational title

Juarez wins second race of season, Lakers take five of top six spots

 MILLEDGEVILLE, GA – The Clayton College & State University men’s cross country came one place from posting a perfect team score Saturday, running away with the Bobcat Invitational hosted by Georgia College & State University at Little Fishing Creek Golf Course in Milledgeville, GA. 

The Lakers scored a meet low 16 points in the event taking the top four spots in the race plus the sixth place finish. All eight of the Clayton State runners placed in the top 10 of three-team meet. Georgia College & State University placed second in the meet with 48 points, followed by Oglethorpe University with 76 points. 

Junior Tony Juarez (East Hazel Crest, IL) won his second meet of the season with a time of 26:47, the sixth fastest 8K in school history. Juarez, who now has five of Clayton State’s top 10 all-time 8K times, also won the Francis Marion Invitational earlier this season. 

Behind Juarez, sophomore Adil Berkhedle (Scarborough, Ontario) finished second with a time of 27:10, the 16th fastest 8K in school history. Freshman Njoroge Ngaruiya (Kiamba, Kenya) placed third with a time of 27:47, followed by senior Mike O’Donnell (Chester, GA) with a time of 28:12. Freshman Shane Kersten (Hinesville, GA) finished sixth with a time of 28:15 to round out the scoring for Clayton State. 

Sophomore Ron Robertson (Claxton, GA) finished eighth with a season’s best 29:21, followed by sophomore Scribner Malloni (Milford, OH) in ninth with a season’s best 29:52. Freshman Eric Wilkes (Stockbridge, GA) finished 10th with a time of 31:05. 

The meet title was the program’s 10th in eight years and second this season after winning the Francis Marion Invitational. Clayton State also won the Bobcat Invitational last season. 

 Both Clayton State’s men’s and women’s squads will take next week off before returning to action on October 26th for the Peach Belt Conference Championships at Francis Marion.

###CCSU###

Krehbiel wins Blazer Invit, shatters 
freshman 5K record; Lakers place 2nd

 VALDOSTA, GA – Clayton College & State University freshman Heather Krehbiel won her second meet of the season Saturday, winning the Blazer Invitational at Valdosta State University, shattering the CCSU freshman 5K record. 

 The Lakers, without two of its top six runners, placed second in the meet as a team with 58 points behind host Valdosta State University with 43 points. The University of West Florida placed third with 73 points, followed by Columbus State University, Albany State University and Lincoln Memorial University.

 Krehbiel (Peachtree City, GA) broke the school’s freshman 5K record by more than 40 seconds, besting former CCSU standout Joni Guffey’s freshmen 5K record of 19:52, set at the Georgia Collegiate Championships in 1998. Krehbiel’s time was the ninth fastest 5K in school history and her second meet victory as she also won the Francis Marion Invitational earlier this season.

Behind Krehbiel, sophomore Kim Daniel (Macon, GA) placed third with a time of 19:31.47, the 23rd fastest 5K in school history and her second fastest 5K time.

Junior Penny Tinker (Mesa, AZ) placed fifth place with a season’s best time 19:41.28, followed by sophomore Stephanie Gilbert (Jonesboro, GA) in 21st with a season’s best time of 21:23.03. Freshman Danella Dutton (Hampton, GA) rounded out the scoring in 28th with a personal best time of 22:03.49, followed by sophomore Nicole Wise (Jonesboro, GA) in 42nd with a time of 26:09.42. 

Clayton State was without senior two-time All-Peach Belt Conference performer La’Keshia Hayes (Lithonia, GA) and junior Melody Bogan (College Park, MD).

Both Clayton State’s men’s and women’s squads will take next week off before returning to action on October 26th for the Peach Belt Conference Championships at Francis Marion.

 ###CCSU###

Clayton State women place third in Georgia
Collegiate Championships; men fourth 
Tony Juarez and Kim Daniel place in top 10 in men and women's races

 Decatur, GA—October 5, 2002 --- Clayton College & State University got top team 10 peformances from Kim Daniel and Tony Juarez to lead the men's and women's cross country teams to third and fourth place finishes, respectively in the --- annual Georgia Collegiate Championships Saturday.

Daniel (Macon, GA), who was ill before race, ran a personal best time of 19:14.12 in the 5K race, placing 10^th in the meet, which garnered her All-State honors. Daniel's time was the 10^th fastest in Clayton State history.

Juarez (East Hazel Crest, IL) had his fourth best 5K time at 26:56.04 and the sixth fastest 5K in school history. He finished sixth in the race and only nine seconds behind the fourth place finisher in the race.

As a team, the Clayton State women finished third with 102 points out of 13 teams despite missing one of its top runners in senior La'Keshia Hayes (Lithonia, GA). Peach Belt Conference rival Kennesaw State won with a meet low 27 points, followed by Emory University with 51 points. Berry College placed fourth with 126 points, followed by Valdosta State rounding out the top five with 144 points.

Behind Daniel, junior Penny Tinker (Mesa, AZ) and freshman Heather Krehbiel (Peachtree City, GA) also received All-State honors, placing 16^th and 21^st, respectively. Tinker finished with a time 19:50.10, followed by Krehbiel with a time of 20:08.54.

Junior Melody Bogan (College Park, MD) finished 56^th with a time of 21:33.28, followed by sophomore Stephanie Gilbert (Jonesboro, GA) in 68^th with a time of 22:09.81. Nicole Wise (Jonesboro, GA) finished 81^st with a time of 22:53.06, followed by Danella Dutton (Hampton, GA) in 87^th with a time of 23:13.62.

On the men's side, the Lakers finished with 85 points, nine points behind third place Berry College. KSU won with a meet low 22 points, followed by Emory with 58 points.

Behind Juarez, freshman Njoroge Ngaruiya (Kiambu, Kenya) also garnered All-State honors, placing 20^th in the race with a time of 27:53.95. Senior Mike O'Donnell (Chester, GA) finished 27^th with a time of 28:20.27, followed by sophomore Adil Berkhedle (Scarborough, Ontario) in 28^th place with a time of 28:26.39.

Freshman Shane Kersten (Hinesville, GA) placed 39^th with a time of 28:58.36, followed by sophomore Ron Robertson (Claxton, GA) in 61^st with a time of 30:01.54. Sophomore Scribner Malloni (Milford, IL) finished in 64^th place with a time of 30:11.58, followed by Erick Wilkes in 65^th with a time of 30:13.79.

The Clayton State women's team will return to action on Saturday, October 12, at Valdosta State University, while the men's team will run in the Bobcat Invitational on Saturday, October 5, in Milledgeville, GA. 

###CCSU###

CCSU cross country teams sweep 15th annual FMU Invit.
Juarez wins on men’s side, Krehbiel edges Daniel for women’s title

 FLORENCE, SC – The Clayton College & State University men’s and women’s cross teams ran away from the competition in the 15th annual Francis Marion Invitational Saturday as both the men’s and women’s squads captured team titles at the event in Florence, S.C.   

The men’s team won the 8K event, which will be the site of the 2002 Peach Belt Conference meet, with a meet low 19 points. Clayton State had the top three finishers in the race, led by junior Tony Juarez (East Hazel Crest, IL) as he won the meet with a time of 26:34. The meet title was the program’s ninth in eight years.   

Behind Clayton State, host Francis Marion finished a distance second with 111 points, followed by Bluffton College with 127 points, Defiance College with 146 points and Georgia College & State University rounding out the top five 147 points. 

On the women’s side, Clayton State finished with a meet low 42 points in the pre-conference event as freshman Heather Krehbiel (Peachthree City, GA) won the 5K meet just ahead of teammate Kim Daniel (Macon, GA). Krehbiel’s finished with a time of 19:52.60, followed by Daniel at 19:53.05. The meet title was the program’s 10th in eight years and Krehbiel’s time was only six-tenths of a second shy from breaking Joni Guffey’s freshman 5K record of 19:52.0. 

Behind Clayton State, Defiance College finished second with 54 points, followed by Bluffton College with 97 points, Mt. Olive College with 163 points and GC&SU with 188 points.  

Juarez’s time of 26:34.60 was the fifth fastest 8K in school history, while sophomore Adil Berkhedle’s (Scarborough, Ontario) second place time of 27:00.65 was the ninth fastest in school history. Senior Mike O’Donnell (Chester, GA) placed third in the race with a time of 27:04.45, followed by freshman Njoroge Ngaruiya (Kiambu, Kenya), finishing fifth with a time of 27:30.  

 Freshman Shane Kersten (Hinesville, GA) finished in eighth place with a personal best time of 28:16.10, followed by sophomore Ron Robertson (Claxton, GA) in 19th with a time of 29:26.00. 

Behind Krehbiel and Daniel on the women’s side, junior Penny Tinker (Mesa, AZ) finished fifth overall with a time of 20:12.75, followed by senior La’Keshia Hayes (Lithonia, GA) in 12th with a time of 20:50.5 and sophomore Stephanie Gilbert (Jonesboro, GA) in 22nd with a time of 21:33.3. Melody Bogan (College Park, MD) finished in 48th spot with a time of 23:22.60.  

The Clayton State squads will return to action on Saturday, October 5, in Decatur, GA, for the Georgia Collegiate Championships at the Panthersville course. The meet begins at 9 a.m.

Clayton State Runners 3^rd at GA State Invitational

DECATUR, Ga., September 21, 2002 -- Despite wet, muddy conditions, the Clayton College & State University cross country teams slopped their way to third place finishes among non-Division I teams Saturday at the 30^th running of the Georgia State University Invitational at Georgia Regional Hospital.

The Lady Lakers, led by Peachtree City freshman Heather Krehbiel, finished a solid third behind winner Kennesaw State and runner-up Emory.  Clayton State scored 69 points, finishing 11 points behind Emory and 50 points ahead of fourth place West Georgia.  The Lady Lakers placed four runners in the Top 15.

Krehbiel, the former Starr's Mill High School standout, ran a personal best 20:08.79 for ninth place in her first collegiate 5K after leading the Lakers last weekend at Huntsville in the 6K distance.  Senior La'Keshia Hayes of Lithonia placed 10^th with a time of 20:37.36, nearly 30 seconds faster than she ran in this meet last year under drier conditions.

Sophomore Kim Daniel of Macon ran in her first meet of the season with an 11^th place finish in 20:47.06.  Daniel was sidelined last week with a sprained ankle and was limited by the course conditions Saturday.  Rounding out the top five was junior Penny Tinker of Mesa, Ariz., placed 14^th in a time of 21:02.48 and sophomore Stephanie Gilbert of Jonesboro who placed 30^th in 22:17.99.

"It was nice to see a lot of orange up front," said Laker Head Coach Mike Mead.  "Our top four ran aggressive and positioned themselves nicely.  Heather, La'Keshia and Kim had nice times on a slow, muddy course.  The Panthersville course was in the worst condition that we have seen in eight years of running on it."

Also competing for Clayton State was junior Melody Bogan of College Park, Md., who finished 34^th in 22:45.88.  Making their season debuts were former Lovejoy High School runners, freshman Danella Dutton of Hampton (36^th, 23:18.55) and sophomore Nicole Wise of Jonesboro (37^th, 23:27.03).

For the second straight week, the Clayton State men finished third place and were led by junior Tony Juarez of East Hazel Crest, Ill.  Identical to the women's team placing, Kennesaw State (27 points) and Emory (53) finished ahead of the Lakers (85) while Morehouse (107) placed fourth.  Juarez led Clayton State with a sixth place finish in 27:18.24 over the 8K course. Also finishing in the Top 10 for Clayton State was sophomore Adil Berkhedle of Scarborough, Ontario who was ninth with a time of 27:35.76.

Rounding out the Lakers top five scorers were senior Mike O'Donnell from Chester, Ga., who placed 23^rd in 28:50.67; freshman Shane Kersten of Hinesville, Ga., in 26^th place with a time of 29:20.37; and sophomore Ron Robertson of Claxton, Ga., with a 27^th place finish in 29:22.34.  Also running for the Lakers was freshman Njoroge Ngaruiya of Nairobi, Kenya (29^th, 29:24.41) and sophomore Scribner Malloni of Milford, Ohio (37^th, 31:14.74).

"We let the course get the best of us today," said Mead.  "Tony and Adil ran faster times on this muddy course, compared to last season on a dry course.  Shane and Ron saved the day with strong finishes.  We were a little out of whack, but it was good to know that we could have a bad day and still finish ahead of teams like Morehouse and West Georgia."

Juarez sets new CCSU 10K mark at Pre-Region meet
CCSU men place 3rd at UAH Invit. women place 6th
Meet Results
HUNTSVILLE, AL - The Clayton College & State University men's cross country team opened the 2002 season with a bang, placing third in the University of Alabama-Hunstville Invitational Saturday, the Division II South Pre-Regional race. Clayton State's women's squad also had a respectable sixth place finish in the event, especially since the squad's top returnee was sidelined due to an ankle sprain.

The Clayton State men's squad finished with 105 points and only seven points behind Florida Southern. PBC rival Kennesaw State ran away with the event, finishing first with a meet low 23 points.

Junior Tony Juarez led the Lakers in the event, running a Clayton State record 33:20.1 in the 10K event, which was good for seventh in the meet. Senior Mike O'Donnell placed 11^th in race with a personal best time of 33:37.3, followed by sophomore Adil Berkhedle in 13^th place with a time of 33:46.6. All three times bettered the Clayton State 10K record, set by Joey Montelongo in 1997 of 33:54.5.

Behind Berkhedle, freshman Njoroge Ngaruiya finished 36^th with a time of 35:38.0, while freshman Shane Kersten rounded out the scoring for Clayton State with a time of 35:52.8, which was good for 42^nd place. Sophomore Ron Robertson placed 54^th with a time of 36:30.8.

On the women's side, the Lakers were without top returnee Kim Daniel, but still finished in the top 10. Clayton State finished with 195 points and was tied for sixth with Division I and Southeastern Conference school Vanderbilt University.

Kennesaw State won the event with a meet low 18 points, followed by UAH, 77; Carson-Newman, 103; Berry College, 176; and the University of Alabama Birmingham, 192.

Freshman Heather Krehbiel had an impressive debut, leading the squad with a 15^th place finish and a time of 23:50.3, one of the fastest 6K times in school history. Behind Krehbiel, junior Penny Tinker placed 33^rd with a time of 24:52.6, followed by senior La'Keshia Hayes, 42^nd, with a time of 25:22.3.

Sophomore Stephanie Gilbert rounded out the scoring for Clayton State with a 56^th place finish of 26:05.4, followed by Melody Bogan in 59^th with a time of 26:15.2.

The Clayton State teams will return to action on Saturday, September 21 in the Georgia State Invitational at the Panthersville course. The meet in Decatur, GA, will begin at 9 a.m.

Harriers Open at UAH Invitational Saturday

Clayton State Optimistic About  2002 Cross Country Season
MORROW -- September 12, 2002 -- There's an air of optimism this season among the Clayton College & State University cross country teams. Both teams are coming off productive 2001 seasons which saw the women's team finish second in the Peach Belt Conference and seventh in the NCAA Division II South Region. Combined, the two teams garnered five all-conference and two all-region runners.

Head Coach Mike Mead is cautiously optimistic since he's seen a thing or two in his eight years as head coach of the Clayton State squads. The Lakers begin their eighth campaign this Saturday at the University of Alabama-Huntsville Invitational. The course, located at Sharon Johnston Park in New Market, Ala., is site for the NCAA Division II South Region Cross Country Championships in November.

"Both our teams are definitely stronger than they were last season," said Mead. "We have a great mix of veteran experience on both squads and we have our best group of newcomers."

The women's squad, ranked No. 7 in the South Region preseason poll, is again vying for prominence in the Peach Belt. "It's going to be very tough stopping North Florida," said Mead. "They're much stronger than last season and we can expect Kennesaw State to be stronger than last season, too."

The Lady Lakers return four of their Top 5 from last season which includes two All-PBC runners. Their lone loss among the Top 5 is No. 1 runner Joni Guffey who graduated after a stellar career in which last season she was all-state, all-conference, all-region and Academic All-American while setting the 5K and 6K team marks. But leading the returnees is sophomore Kim Daniel, from Macon, who was the Peach Belt "Freshman of the Year" in 2001 and earned all-conference and all-region honors. Also returning is senior La'Keshia Hayes from Lithonia, who is on course to become CCSU's first three-time All-PBC runner, as well as junior Melody Bogan from College Park, Md. and Jonesboro sophomores Stephanie Gilbert and Nicole Wise.

"We're going to miss Joni, but Kim, La'Keshia and the rest of our returnees are much improved," said Mead. "In addition, we've picked up three newcomers who will give us solid depth."

Leading the newcomers is freshman Heather Krehbiel from Peachtree City who was a standout runner at Starr's Mill High School. Also new to the program is Penny Tinker, a junior transfer from Mesa Community College in Arizona and freshman Danella Dutton, from Hampton, who ran at Lovejoy High School.

"These three young women are solid additions to our program," said Mead. "Heather has been leading most of the workouts so far and Penny is going to be among our top four in the meets while Danella will figure in at our No. 6 or 7 spot."

The men's team will also be improved with the return of four of its Top 5 runners from 2001 that includes three All-PBC runners. Heading the list of returnees is senior Mike O'Donnell from Chester who was an All-PBC runner and team MVP in 2000. Also back is junior Tony Juarez from East Hazel Crest, Ill. and sophomore Adil Berkhedle from Scarborough, Ontario, Canada. Juarez was the 2001 team MVP and an all-state and All-PBC runner. Berkhedle set the team 8K record while earning All-PBC honors in 2001.

The fourth returnee from last season is sophomore Scribner Malloni from Milford, Ohio. In addition, the Lakers return sophomore Ron Robertson from Claxton who was a member of the 2000 squad.

"We have our best corps of veterans on our men's team," said Mead. "O'Donnell has put in a bunch of miles this summer and has overcome some ailments that slowed him considerably last season. Tony and Adil were our one-two punch last season and they will be stronger following very good track seasons last spring. Scribbie and Ron are going to provide us with some much needed depth once they get some racing under their belts."

The Lakers bring in three freshmen who possess much potential. The newcomers are Njoroge Ngaruiya from Nairobi, Kenya, Shane Kersten from Hinesville and Eric Wilkes from Stockbridge. "Njoroge has the potential to break all of our cross country records," said Mead. "He's going to be challenging for the No. 1 spot on the team and he's going to make everyone around him better. Shane and Eric will need to adjust to collegiate running, but so far both are holding their own."

Both cross country teams are taking a later start than in the past few seasons when they had opened the Saturday before Labor Day. Saturday's meet near Huntsville will be an early test how both teams rate not only in the Peach Belt, but also in the Region. "Huntsville, West Georgia and Kennesaw State are going to be competing and we get to see where we stand," said Mead. "Our men's team has finished third in this meet the past two years and traditionally our women's team has not done well, but our No. 1 runner has finished either first or second. We will be running 6K and 10K on Saturday, but I think the extra training will have us better prepared for our opener."

Cross country teams sign top runners for 2002 season

MORROW, GA---August 18, 2002---The 2002 Clayton College & State University men's and women's cross country teams are gearing up for the fall, and both squads have signed several top runners for the upcoming season.

Coming off a runner-up finish in the 2001 Peach Belt Conference Championships 2001, the Clayton State women's squad has signed three runners with hopes of reloading and taking a shot at the conference championship in 2002. The Lakers return four of its top five runners for the upcoming season but will have to replace its top runner in standout Joni Guffey, Frankfort, KY.

Junior Penny Tinker, a junior college transfer from Mesa Community College in Mesa, AZ, will help lighten Guffey's loss, providing both college running experience and leadership. Tinker has a 5K best of 19:45 and was Mesa's Most Valuable Runner in cross country. In track, she had a personal best of 2:18 in the 800m, 5:02 in the 1500m and 11:37 in the 3000m.

"Penny makes a great last-minute addition to our team," said Mead. "We did not learn about her until early June. Penny will provide the team with mature leadership since she interrupted her college studies to spend four years in the military and that disciplined experience will help our team this fall. She is going to vie for one of our top three positions on the team and has the potential to give us another 1-2-3 punch when it will count."

In addition to Tinker, the Lakers have two local additions in Heather Krehibel from Peachtree City, GA and Danella Dutton from Hampton, GA.

Krehibel, a four-year letterwinner at Starr's Mill High School, was the team's top runner last year, receiving the Captain, Panther and Most Dedicated Runner awards. She has a 5K personal best of 20:10 and finished fifth in the Class AAAAA state track meet last spring. She has personal best track times of 11:37.87 in the 3200m and 5:37.38 in the 1600m.

"Heather is going to make a fine addition to our program," said Mead. "She brings in similar credentials, both academically and athletically, that Joni (Guffey) did when she came out of high school, but Heather has more track speed than what Joni had coming here. Heather is going to give us solid depth, and she will be contending for one of our top three spots on the cross country team this fall. She's a dedicated, hard-working runner and was one of the best 3200m runners in the state this past spring in track."

Dutton, a 2002 graduate of Lovejoy High School, was a four-year letterwinner in cross country and track. She was named second team All-Region in cross country and a Captain's Award recipient. Dutton has a personal best 5K time of 20:33 in cross country, and in track has personal bests of 12:54 in the 3200m, 5:46 in the 1600m and 2:29 in the 800m.

"Danella brings experience and a great distance background to our program," said Mead. "She'll give us much needed depth and will vie for a spot on our top five. Danella comes from a great distance tradition at Lovejoy and Coach (Richard) Westbrook. The few female runners from Lovejoy that we've had in our program have done well and improved as runners."

On the men's side, freshman Njoroge Ngaruiya, from Nairobi, Kenya, leads the 2002 incoming class and is primed to make an instant impact for the Lakers in the Peach Belt.

"Njoroge is our first legitimate 'blue chip' runner," said head coach Mike Mead. "He will rewrite our record books in the distance events in cross country and track. I'm very excited in being able to coach him, and the sky will be the limit to his potential. He will help make his teammates better runners and will be a frontrunner in every meet."

A 1999 graduate of Thika High School, Ngaruiya has a personal best 10K time of 30:42 and a 12K time of 38:52. His personal best 10K time is over three minutes faster than Clayton State's 10K record of 33:54.5, set by Joey Montelongo in 1997.

In addition to Ngaruiya, two other newcomers to the men's program will be freshmen Shane Kersten, of Hinesville, GA, and Eric Wilkes, of Stockbridge, GA.

Kersten, a 2002 graduate from Liberty County High School, has a personal best time 5K time of 17:21 and finished sixth in the 3200m run at the 2002 Class AAA state meet.

"Shane will need to adjust to the college workload this year, and we'll need to bring him along steadily," said Mead. "He shows some very good leg speed, but he will need to work on his distance base training. He is capable of contributing to the team this fall and will vie for a top seven spot. He can develop into a good Division II runner as long as he trains smart and runs in the off-season."

Wilkes, a 2002 graduate from Stockbridge High School, has a personal best 5K time of 16:37, as well as a personal best of 2:02 in the 800m, 4:34 in the 1600m and 10:30 in the 3200m.

"Eric hails from a solid high school program in Stockbridge," said Mead. "He has very good leg speed but needs to work on his distance base. He can be a good collegiate runner with the right mix of training. I look for Eric to contribute this fall by conference time. He'll be vying for one of the top seven spots on the squad. He's going to learn a lot about college running this fall."

CCSU's cross country teams open their seasons Sept. 14, competing in the University of Alabama-Huntsville's Howard Bentley Invitational. The UAH course will also be the site of the Nov. 9 NCAA Division II South Regionals. Another highlight of seven-meet schedule will be the Peach Belt Conference Championships on October 26, hosted by Francis Marion University.

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