GREENSBORO, N.C. — For the first time since 2009, the Piedmont College men's cross country team claimed a conference championship after winning the 2015 USA South title on Saturday. The Lions finished with four first team all-conference honorees and were led by youngster Clayton Thayer.
The Lions finished 3, 4, 5 and 6 overall as Thayer led the way for the Lions with a 28:27.40, an eight second personal best, after a late surge put him just ahead of Cody Parker. Parker was in contention for the individual title before finishing fourth with a time of 28:29.90.
Jarrod Howell used his signature kick at the end to finish just two seconds behind Parker at 28:31.40 while Dewayne Cagle was hot on his heels running a 28:34.70. Piedmont had their top four across the line in a span of just seven seconds.
Cory McClung stepped up finishing as the final Lion to score with a 29:21.80 in 16th overall. Zane Rimmer was just a few spots back in 21st with a 30:30.50 while Nathan Crews finished in 36th with a 32:45.90.
The Lions set the fastest team average in school history with a 28:41.04, topping the time of 29:00 that was set one year ago at the USA South Championship Meet on the same course. Three freshmen Lions set new personal bests as Thayer knocked eight seconds off his best time, Howell made the most improvement taking 27 seconds off his best 8k time of the season while Cagle shaved 15 seconds off his previous best.
