A Mike Mead enters his 13th season coaching the Clayton State University Laker cross country program and 11th season developing the track and field program. A standout runner at the University of West Georgia, Mead has utilized his running experience in building a competitive collegiate program.
The building reached its zenith in the last couple of seasons. In the 2005 season, Mead paced the Laker men to the Peach Belt Athletic Conference championship and a berth in the NCAA Division II National Championships. The Lakers third at the NCAA Division II South Regional, followed by finishing 23rd at the national meet.
Mead was honored as the 2005 Peach Belt Men's Coach of the Year in the process.
Last season, Mead paced the Clayton State Laker women to a runner-up finish in the Peach Belt Conference and produced Peach Belt Conference individual champion, All-Region and All-America Angela Cobb.
In 12 cross country seasons, Mead has coached three All-American and nine Academic All-Americans in addition to 42 all-conference and 15 All-Region runners. During the 2004 season, the top women’s runner, Allison Kreutzer, finished second at the NCAA Division II championship meet and was the Peach Belt Conference “Runner of the Year” and “Freshman of the Year.” In 1997, Mead guided the Laker women to a No. 23 NCAA Division II national ranking in the program's first season at the NCAA level. Mead has led both the men's and women's cross country teams to runner-up finishes in the Peach Belt Conference Championships, the women's squad in 1996 & 2001 and the men's team in 2003 and 2004.
Mead has also built the Clayton State track & field program, which has produced seven All-Americas since 2002, including Angela Cobb (10,000m) and Allison Kreutzer (5,000 & 10,000m) who earned the distinction in 2007. In 2004, the Laker men had four runners named All-America and five runners compete at the Division II championship meet. The 4x400 team of Brian Etleman, Rother Heard, Carlos Guyton and Eric Simmons placed sixth in the nation in 2004. In 2002, the program had its first All-America as Joni Guffey, a two-time participant in the NCAA Track & Field Championships, placed sixth in the 1500m.
While at West Georgia, Mead helped the cross country team to consecutive appearances at the NCAA Division II Championships in 1978-79. He was a two-time all-conference and one-time Georgia Collegiate all-state runner. In track and field, Mead represented West Georgia at three NCAA Division II Championships in the 3,000 meter steeplechase. He held four track records including the steeplechase (9:08.7), indoor mile (4:18) and indoor two-mile (9:14).
Prior to attending West Georgia, Mead ran two seasons at NJCAA powerhouse Southwestern Michigan College. He competed in two NJCAA national meets, including the 1977 cross country championships in which SMC finished second. Following college, Mead ran for the Atlanta Track Club and Athletics South competitive teams during the early 80's. He has helped direct several road races in Americus, Carrollton and Morrow and set personal bests on the road of 30:54 for the 10K, 24:47 for 8K, and 14:35 for 5K.
Mead holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in speech and master's degree in public administration from West Georgia. Before coming to Clayton State, he worked for daily newspapers in Carrollton and Americus and spent two years with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He also served as SID at Georgia Southwestern for two years.
In addition to his coaching duties, Mead serves as Assistant Director of Athletics. He is also active in the community, serving as the treasurer for Clayton Youth Leadership and is a member of the Southlake Kiwanis Club. He is an active member in the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association serving as President for the Division II Cross Country Coaches’ Association. In 2005, he was inducted into the Lakeshore High School (Mich.) Athletic Hall of Fame. Mead and his wife, Alison, reside in nearby Lake City.
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