CULLOWHEE, N.C. - Journey Gurley pole vaulted her way to the University of North Georgia's first ever NCAA automatic qualifying mark Friday night to highlight the North Georgia track & field team's weekend at the Catamount Classic. UNG finished fifth in the team standings, tallying 72 points and finishing as the top non-Division I team in the field.

Gurley cleared 4.20 meters to break the UNG and Peach Belt record yet again, winning the event in the meet as well as qualifying for the Division II Track Championships. She is currently ranked No. 2 in the NCAA in the event. She also set the school record for the triple jump, hopping to a distance of 10.33 meters.

Abigail Kirkland set a new program record in the 100 meter dash, finishing second in the event at 12.29 seconds and won the 400 meter hurdles with a time of 1:02.75. Chloe Savage set a new shot put record at 10.60 meters, while Abby Greenwood reset her own school record in the 100 meter hurdles with a time of 16.76.

Bree Hammond won the 5000 meter with a time of 17:37.36, seven seconds faster than the field, while Sydney Bolyard edged out Audrey Gleason by a single second in the 3000 meter steeplechase, winning with a time of 12:18.14.

The Nighthawks will be back in action next at the Peach Belt Championships, hosted by Embry-Riddle, April 30 - May 1.