Coach Troy Hickom announced the addition of five newcomers to the Clayton State University cross country team for the 2026 season. The class includes one male runner, Aiden Frye, and four female runners: Giselle Cabrera, Jamea Lindley, Rebecca Oji, and Juana Cervantes-Gonzales. Coach Hickom expressed enthusiasm about the mix of experienced and younger athletes, emphasizing their potential to perform strongly this year. This group's integration with returning athletes is expected to enhance the team鈥檚 competitiveness in upcoming competitions.

By the Numbers
  • Aiden Frye recorded the third-fastest times in program history for the 1600m and 3200m runs.
  • Giselle Cabrera achieved a personal best 5K time of 20:05.12 at the G-MAC Outdoor Championships.
  • Jamea Lindley finished 13th at the SIAC XC Championships with a personal best of 21:35.5.
State of Play
  • The men's team looks to build on the strength of veterans like James Morrow and Nehemiah Horton.
  • The women's team incorporates newcomers like Cabrera and Lindley to strengthen depth and performance.
  • The season opener is scheduled for September 5th at the Julius Johnson Invitational hosted by Mercer University.
What's Next

The Laker cross country teams will debut their season at the Julius Johnson Invitational, aiming for strong performances to set an optimistic tone for the year. The combination of fresh talent and experienced returners may deliver competitive results against their peers.

Bottom Line

The infusion of new talent into the Clayton State cross country program presents a promising opportunity for the team to enhance its competitive edge. As the season begins, the synergy between newcomers and returning athletes may prove decisive in achieving the team's goals.