The Augustana women's cross country team gained impressive rankings in the 2007 preseason national and regional rankings. The Vikings are ranked 6th in the USTFCCCA Division II Women's Cross Country national rankings and No. 3 in the North Central Regional rankings, the USTFCCCA announced.
The Vikings finished 11th at the 2006 Division II National Championships. The Vikings return their top 5 runners and 6 of their top 7 runners from last year's squad, including All-American
Jillian Tholen, the 2006 North Central Conference champion. The Vikings finished second at the 2006 NCC Championships and 4th at the North Central Regional Championships.
In addition, Augie returns
Rachel Stangler, the 2004 NCC champion, and
Sara Hayes, the 2004 NCC runner-up, both of whom sat out the 2006 season.
Augustana opens the 2007 season on Saturday, September 1, at the St. Mary's Invitational in Winona, Minn.
USTFCCCA Division II Women’s Cross Country National Rankings1. Adams State
2. Harding
3. Western State
4. Grand Valley State
5. Seattle Pacific
6. Augustana7. Cal State Los Angeles
8. Edinboro
9. Chico State
10. Wisconsin Parkside
11. Colorado Springs
12. Abilene Christian
13. Kutztown
14. UC San Diego
15. Slippery Rock
16. Pittsburg State
17. North Dakota
18. Alabama Huntsville
19. Findlay
20. Tampa
21. Southern Indiana
22. Bloomsburg
23. Stonehill
24. Missouri Southern
25. Central Missouri
Division II North Central Regional Women's Cross Country Rankings1. Adams State
2. Western State
3. Augustana4. Colorado-Colorado Springs
5. North Dakota
6. Minnesota Duluth
7. South Dakota
8. Colorado Mines
9. Nebraska-Kearney
10. Wayne State, Neb.
