Mills, Garnett earn NCAA DII scholarship

The University of North Georgia (UNG) had a pair of student-athletes named as winners of the NCAA Division II 50th Anniversary Scholarship on May 20 at the NCAA Division II Spring Festival's Opening Ceremony in Orlando, Florida.

UNG sophomore Max Garnett and senior Claire Mills were the two selected recipients from the Peach Belt Conference (PBC). 

"We are so proud of Max and Claire's representation of North Georgia Athletics. They have been outstanding athletes in their respective sports, but also stellar students in the classroom and role models in the community. Their selection as recipients of this momentous scholarship is a true testament to their hard work," UNG Director of Athletics Mary Rob Plunkett said.

Division II schools submitted 196 nominations for the commemorative scholarship. Conference offices selected up to four finalists for review by the Division II Management Council Identity Subcommittee. The subcommittee then reviewed all finalist submissions and awarded one male student-athlete and one female student-athlete from each of the 23 Division II conferences.

Nationwide, 46 student-athletes will each receive the 50th Anniversary Scholarship, worth over $1,000.

Garnett, a member of the Nighthawk men's soccer team, was the second-leading scorer and passer this year for the program. With six goals and six assists, Garnett totaled 18 points after starting 18 of UNG's 19 games last season. In his two-year career, the Flowery Branch, Georgia, native has already been named a PBC all-conference member twice, earning second-team honors last season among the conference's forwards. 

The 50th Anniversary Scholarship is also Garnett's second academic honor in his career as he was named a 2022-23 PBC Presidential Honor Roll Silver Scholar last year. 

For Mills, a member of UNG's women's track and field and cross country teams, the scholarship adds to an already long list of outstanding accomplishments for the four-year Nighthawk runner.

The 2023 PBC Cross Country Runner of the Year has earned a whopping 10 conference honors in her career. That does not include her two-time selection as a PBC Presidential Honor Roll Gold Scholar and her three-time inclusion on the PBC Team of Academic Distinction. 

Last year, Mills represented the Nighthawks at the NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships as an individual qualifier after an outstanding season. Her performance last season earned her a spot on the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Southeast All-Region Team. 

Garnett and Mills will both receive the scholarship funds in excess of $1,000 prior to the fall 2024 semester.