INFO | Royals Challenge results, powered by AthleticLIVE
 
Charlotte, N.C.----The No. 6 Wingate University women's cross country team finished 10th in the 18-team Royals Cross Country Challenge Gold Division Friday. Junior Evie Brooks led the defending South Atlantic Conference and Southeast Region champions, posting a personal-best 5K time of 17:28.96.  Queens University of Charlotte hosted the Royals Challenge at McAlpine Creek Park.
 
NCAA Division II No. 16 Northern Michigan won the event with 39 points, followed closely by No. 19 Catawba in second place with 47 points. Wingate had 295 points. The Bulldogs defeated NCAA Division I schools North Carolina Central and Presbyterian Friday.
 
What They Are Saying
Wingate head cross country coach Pol Domenech
 
"We had another great day on the women's side. The momentum keeps us moving forward. We are excited to get into the championship season in the next two weeks!"
 
Meet Information
Royals Challenge Gold Division
 
Top five teams: Northern Michigan (39 points), Catawba (47), Queens (131), Lenoir-Rhyne (133) and Charlotte (154).
Individual finishers: 164 student-athletes representing 18 schools
School breakdown: 6 NCAA Division I, 11 NCAA Division II, 1 NJCAA
Location: McAlpine Creek Park (pancake course), Charlotte, North Carolina 

Inside the 5K results
- Brooks' 5K time of 17:28.96 is the second-fastest 5K in school history
- Lara Orrock ran a 17:07.3 5K race in the '21 Royals Challenge
- Orrock finished third in the '21 event as WU finished eighth overall
- Sophomore Tarikua Majocchi ran a 18:48.88 5K race Friday
- Freshman Luisa Frehner was Wingate's third finisher at 19:02.93
- Furman senior Sierra Bower won the race with her 5K time of 16:39.91
- Bower was running unattached for the Furman Paladins Friday
- Catawba senior Madison Clay finished second with her 17:15.79 5K time
 
Up Next for the No. 6 Wingate Bulldogs
 
Wingate will compete in the South Atlantic Conference meet Saturday, October 25 in Greeneville, Tennessee. The '25 SAC event is hosted by the Tusculum University Pioneers. The NCAA Division II Southeast Regional championships are Saturday, November 8 in Wingate.