GAINESVILLE, Ga. — Claire Mills highlighted the University of North Georgia women's cross country team's appearance at the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional race, as the Nighthawks finished in seventh out of 24 teams in the event. Mills finished first on the team and 10th overall, clocking a time of 22:05, rounding out a pack of three runners from Catawba and Flagler who all finished within one second of each other.

Mills' finish earns her automatic qualification to the 2023 NCAA Women's Cross Country Championship on Nov. 18 at the Tom Rutledge Cross Country Course in Joplin, Missouri as the top two finishing individuals who are not part of a qualifying team automatically advance to the championship finals.

Mills' 6K time of 22:05 is the second best in program history and was one second shy of the school record held by Brittany Truitt (2014 PBC Championship).

Next across the line for North Georgia in 17th place was Emily McBride grabbing a top 20 finish after a time of 22:30. By finishing in the top-25, both McBride and Mills were named to the USTFCCCA All-Region team.

Anna Chasteen finished in 51st after recording a time of 23:36 with Elissa Oliver following in 56th place after a time of 23:44

Nealeigh Broadwell finished with a time of 24:34 with Adi Myers finishing just behind her with a time of 24:56. Grace Opsahl rounded out the North Georgia runners in the race, finishing at the 25:35 mark.

Wingate won the team title while Catawba's Mikayla Jones won the individual title with a time of 21:11.