Mead reloads Clayton State men’s cross country with fine 2007 recruiting class
Arizona JUCO transfers Aguilar, Nguyen headline Laker newcomers this season

MORROW, Ga. – August 17, 2007 – After a disappointing season in 2006, the Clayton State Laker men’s cross country program hopes to regain its competitive form with eight new faces to this year’s team. Head coach Mike Mead is optimistic that his newcomers will lead the squad back to a competitive level among NCAA Division II foes.

The 2006 Clayton State team finished last in the Peach Belt Conference after winning the conference title in 2005. And with no one returning from last season’s team, the Lakers will start off with a clean slate, composed of two juniors and six freshmen.

“We just did not have as strong a recruiting year in 2006, but we have made up for it this year,” said Mead. “We’ll be very young, on paper, but we should be in the top half of the conference this fall. Heck, Columbus State won the Peach Belt last season with mostly freshmen. There’s no reason we shouldn’t be able to have similar success.”

The Lakers’ newcomers will be led by two junior college transfers in Anthony Aguilar and Au Nguyen who both hail from the Phoenix, Arizona area. Aguilar (Glendale, Ariz.) ran two seasons for Gateway Community College, but spent last season at Phoenix College as a student coach. As a freshman in 2004, Aguilar was a junior college All-American and All-Academic while running a career-best 26:17 for 8K (4.97 miles). Nguyen (Mesa, Ariz.) ran the past two seasons for Mesa Community College and ran a personal-best last season of 27:05 for 8K.

“Anthony and Au will provide us with valuable leadership for our freshmen,” Mead said. “Anthony served as an assistant coach last season and Au has a military background. Both will help us regain our stature in the conference and region.”

The freshmen corps will be led by an out-of-state duo of Walid Berkhedle from Scarborough, Ontario, and Joey Chino from Eudora, Kan. Berkhedle is following in the footsteps of his older brother Adil, who was a four-year letterwinner at Clayton State from 2001-04 and a three-time All-PBC runner. Walid will bring a similar background that includes sub-16-minute 5K and 1:55 800m speed. Chino placed fifth in the Class 4A division at the Kansas state meet in 2006 and ran a career-best of 16:08 for 5K at the AAU national meet last December in Florida.

“Walid and Joey should be leading our freshman pack as we start the season and both could challenge for the PBC’s fastest freshman honor,” said Mead. “Only time will tell as they adjust to new surroundings.”

The rest of the squad will be composed of talent from the metro area. Locally, Kelsey Armstead from Stockbridge High School -- the 2006 Henry County Runner of the Year -- will be vying for one of the top seven slots on the Laker squad. Also joining Armstead from the area will be Jeremy Adkins from Luella High School and Cameron Dixon from Mundy’s Mill High School.

Also expected to vying for some of the top spots on the team will be Jarrid Casimir from Dacula High School. Casimir helped Dacula secure a third place team finish last fall in the Class AAAA state meet finals. Last season he ran a best of 17:54 for 5K.

“I’m excited about working with this group of guys,” said Mead. “They have the potential to develop into a great team over the next few seasons.” 

The Lakers will begin practice on August 20 and open their 13^th season on September 15 at the Georgia State University Invitational.