DAHLONEGA – The University of North Georgia (UNG) women's cross country team is putting together its final preparations for the 14th Annual UNG Cross Country Invitational on Friday evening. 

Fresh off a first-place finish at the Young Harris Cross Country Opener to kick off the 2026 season, North Georgia is looking to build off that solid momentum in its home race. 

Since the inaugural UNG XC Invitational in 2013, the Nighthawks have won their home event eight times with four women's individual champions. UNG most recently secured the title in 2024, as Claire Mills was crowned the champion of the women's race. 

Last season, North Georgia posted a runner-up finish at its invitational, while Maggie Welp (5th) and Tessie Braman (9th) finished with top-10 times individually. 

The race will be run on the University of North Georgia Cross Country Course at UNG's Gainesville campus. The course, made entirely of grass and dirt, is considered "flat and fast" and features a stadium-style finish. The Nighthawks' home course has also served as the home of five Peach Belt Conference Championships and three NCAA Division II Men's and Women's Cross Country Southeast Regionals. 

"The course is awesome," junior Aubrey Dishman said. "We love it because we get to practice on it, so we know it really well. Also, just being able to see family and friends is such a sweet thing, to be able to have them there cheering us on." 

The event will kick off on Friday, Sept. 18 at 5:30 with the national anthem, followed by the men's 8k race will at 5:45 p.m.

At 6:20 p.m., the Nighthawks will report to the starting line for the women's 5k along with 15 other teams, including two NCAA Division I programs in Georgia State and Georgia Southern. The women's race is set to start at 6:30 p.m.