Friday, September 4, 1998
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Friday, September 4, 1998 |
The Clayton State College athletic department has undergone some massive changes in the offseason. Both the male and female soccer team have new coaches and several new players and the cross country team lost five of their runners from last season. The Laker athletic program is determined to stay competitive in all sports and has made the necessary departmental changes to do so. Coach Bill Holleman left the Lady Laker soccer program in the off season to pursuit other interests. Holleman was replaced by T.O. Totty, who is confident about his team's chances this year. The Lady Lakers retain their leading scorer from last season, Nichole Kirkland, as well as the school's career goals and points leader, Jamie Goetz. The Lady Lakers defeated Oglethorpe University in their first game of the season, 1-0. The Men's soccer team got a newcoach as well. John Rootes of New Hampshire College brings an amazing record and 17 new recruits to the team. The new players are from various countries ranging from England to South Africa. The Lakers have a great amount of depth and will play 10 of their 19 games at home this season. Cross country coaches Mike Mead and Hugh Toro did not recruit heavily in the off-season, figuring the majority of their team, which placed third in the Peach Belt last season, would return. The team lost five runners due to transfers, injuries and academic duress, forcing Mead and Toro to rebuild. They have added two junior college transfers from South Suburban College in Chicago, Manny Juarez and LeRoy Haynes, and will rely heavily on three incoming freshmen as well. They face off against Kennesaw State and Columbus State Saturday in Marietta.
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