Men's golf advances to NCAA championship

The University of North Georgia (UNG) men's golf team earned a second consecutive appearance at the NCAA Division II national championship after a fourth-place finish at the South/Southeast Regional at Grand Oaks Golf Club in Davie, Florida. The team will compete May 22-26 Avalon Lakes Country Club in Warren, Ohio.

UNG finished with a 1-over 853 team score across the May 11-13 regional event, seven shots back of winner University of West Florida, five shots behind second-place Barry University and a single shot back of third-place Nova Southeastern University. The top six teams from the regional advanced to the national championship, a tall task considering the 20 teams competing at the regional included 14 top-25 teams.

"It's no secret that we are in the toughest region in the NCAA," UNG head coach Bryson Worley said. "To advance means that you beat many of the best teams in the country, and the confidence that comes from that experience is so valuable at the national championship."

Noah Zediker led the Nighthawks with a 4-under 209 three-round score that was good for seventh place individually. Evan Thompson tied for 23rd with an even-par 213, with Stephen Kinsel tying for 35th at 2-over 215, and Will Chambless tying for 57th with a 6-over 219.

"I am impressed by the chemistry and determination of this team. Not only the five playing at the national championship, but it takes the entire team to push and prepare each other for the moments this weekend and the opportunities to come next week," Worley said. "They believe in each other and what we are doing in Dahlonega. It's just really fun to watch."

Softball team advances to Super Regional

The UNG softball team (57-6) advanced to the NCAA Division II Southeast Super Regional in decisive fashion. Head coach Mike Davenport's team dispatched of King University 8-0 and 21st-ranked Columbus State by scores of 8-0 and 8-3 in its four-team pod in the Southeast Regional in Dahlonega, Georgia, held May 11-13.

"I am extremely proud of our kids and how they represented themselves this weekend against two of the best teams in the Southeast," Davenport said. "I feel very fortunate to continue to have an opportunity to play again next week in the NCAA Super Regional."

UNG will now host 17th-ranked Wingate University (48-15), which is the Southeast Regional's No. 2 seed, May 18-19 in a best-of-three series at the Haines and Carolyn Hill Stadium at Cottrell Park with a spot in the May 25-31 NCAA Championship on the line. Games are set for 2 p.m. May 18, noon May 19 and, if necessary, 2:30 p.m. May 19.

Kristen Davis picked up two pitching victories and Tybee Denton had one pitching win for UNG in the regional. Sophie Mooney picked up a save. Hannah Forehand tallied a team-high four RBIs for the weekend and leads NCAA Division II with 76 RBIs on the season.

Ananthasane finishes 12th in regional

UNG women's golfer Maddie Ananthasane tied for 12th at the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional hosted May 8-10 by UNG at the Chattahoochee Golf Club in Gainesville, Georgia.

Ananthasane tallied a three-round score of 10-over 226, highlighted by a final-round 2-over 74. She moved up five spots after beginning the third round tied for 17th.

The NCAA postseason appearance marked the third in three seasons for Ananthasane.