DAHLONEGA – The Peach Belt Conference has announced the 2024 women's cross country Team of Academic Distinction presented by Barnes & Noble College and six Nighthawks made the list Tuesday morning.

To be eligible for the team, a student-athlete must 1) participate in at least half of his/her team's events and be either a starter or significant contributor; 2) achieved a 3.50 cumulative grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) and 3) completed at least one full academic year at his or her current institution and has reached sophomore athletic eligibility. The Peach Belt Conference sports communications professionals oversee the program.

Graduate Claire Mills earned a Team of Academic Distinction honor for the fifth time in her career. The standout runner has earned the award five times for both cross country and track & field with this being her third cross country selection.

Zoe Ordway made it on this year's team for the first time in her career. The senior from Cumming, Ga. is scheduled to graduate with a degree in Biology in May.

Another first time honoree this season was Elizabeth Padilla Brun. The junior joined the UNG running program with track & field in the spring of 2024 and competed in her first cross country campaign last fall. 

Graduate student Ashley Pope landed on the Team of Academic Distinction list for the fourth time in her career. The two-sport runner has earned the conference acclaim twice for cross country and twice for track & field. 

Finally, senior Ella Stoudenmire was named to the Team of Academic Distinction for the third time in her career. Stoudenmire previously earned the highest possible academic honor from the conference office in 2023 when she was awarded the PBC Elite 18 Award for Cross Country as the student-athlete with the highest grade point average among conference championship competitors. 

UNG has now had multiple members on the PBC Team of Academic Distinction (or all-academic team as it is formerly named) in three straight seasons and in 11 of the last 12 years.