Clayton State University Women's Cross Country

Mead is in his 20th season directing the Laker cross country programs in 2014. Under his guidance, the mens and womens cross country teams have been competitive in the Peach Belt Conference.  The women's team won its first title in 2012 while the mens team won the 2005 title. Both squads have finished runners-up numerous times, including the womens second place finish in 2011. The 2012 women's team finished second in the Southeast Regionals to earn its first trip to the NCAA championship meet.  Since 2003, the mens program has had five PBC runner-up finishes and twice finished third at the region championships. In 19 cross country seasons, Mead has coached three All-Americans, including a second place finisher in the NCAA Division II national championships, one region champion, five conference champions, and 21 All-Academic runners in addition to 58 all-conference and 28 All-Region runners. In addition to cross country, Mead has also built the Clayton State track and field program from scratch. Since its inception in 1997, a combined 11 All-Americans have been produced, including 2013 All-Americans Shannon Smith (outdoor high jump) and Ayrton Azcue (2nd indoor 800m & outdoor 800m). The womens program had its first Division II All-American in 2002 with Joni Guffey in the 1,500-meter run. In 2004, the Laker mens 4x400-meter relay team of Brian Etleman, Rother Heard, Carlos Guyton and Eric Simmons placed sixth at the NCAA Division II nationals to earn All-American honors. Mead has received several coaching awards, including six Peach Belt Conference Coach of the Year honors. His womens team has garnered the departments All-Academic Team trophy four times (1999-2002 & 2004) while the men won the 2008 honor. Mead holds a Bachelor of Arts in Speech and Master of Public Administration degrees from the University of West Georgia. While at West Georgia, he helped the cross country team to consecutive appearances at the NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships in 1978-79. 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 (SMC). 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 (ATC) and Athletics South competitive teams. He is also active in the community, serving on the board of directors for the Good Shepherd Clinic and is a member of the Kiwanis of Southlake Club. He served on the NCAA Mens and Womens Track & Field Committee (2008-12) and is an active member in the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA), having served as President for Division II Cross Country from 2007-09. Mead and his wife, Alison, reside in nearby Lake City, Ga.