The Emory University women's cross country team has automatically qualified for the NCAA National Championship meet after winning the NCAA South Regional qualifying meet Saturday afternoon.

The women's squad had seven All-Region selections in Madison Tiaffay, Elizabeth Csikai, Davis Johnson, Payton Fleming, Cameron Gupta, Ayla Cooke and Ashley Clyman as they all finished in the top 20. Tiaffay, Csikai and Johnson placed in the top ten at the event.

On the men's side, John Urciuoli and Ryan Van de Berghe have qualified as individuals for the NCAA National Championship after their top ten finishes at Saturday's NCAA South Regional meet. The men's squad boasted five All-Region selections with Urciuoli, Van de Berghe, Amos Pres, Nikhil Makker and Dalton Lowery all placing among the top 30 finishers.

This marks the 20^th consecutive year that the Eagles have earned a bid to the NCAA Championship. The Eagles have had success at the event in recent years, earning top ten finishes the last two years. Last year the women's team took seventh overall, tying the program best finish set by the 1997 team. Tiaffay, Johnson, Gupta and Csikai will be returning to the National Championship from last year's seventh place roster.

With their tickets punched, Emory will now head to Spartanburg, SC for the National Championship next Saturday. The meet will be held at the Roger Miliken Cross Country Course with the men racing at 10 a.m. and the women's team racing at 11 a.m.