SIOUX FALLS S.D.- Augustana opens the indoor track and field season with a trip to Brookings, S.D. for the SDSU Preseason Open hosted by South Dakota State University on Friday, Dec. 4 and Saturday, Dec. 5. Three runners will be in Michigan to compete in the Grand Valley State Holiday Open on Friday Dec. 4.

As Augustana begins the new Track and Field season let's take a look at the team.

Short Distance Runners

On the women's side Carina Hofmeister returns for her senior year. Last year Hofmeister was on the 4x400 relay team that finished seventh overall at the NCAA Indoor Championship. 'We really expect her times to be much faster this year," assistant coach Greg Binstock said,  "She will focus more on the 200 meters and will move up to the 4x400 meter relay. We expect big things from her."

Charissa Etrheim also returns from the seventh place 4x400 relay team. Etrheim posted a season best 41.82 last year at the South Dakota State University Open.  

Irene Almarcha, a junior from Spain, returns from a successful sophomore season. Almarcha finished seventh in the 60m hurdles at the NCAA Indoor Championship with a time of 8.59 earning All-American honors.

"On the men's side we have really great senior leadership this year," Binstock said.  

Augustana returns Ryan Heuer for the 60m hurdles. Last year Heuer finished second in the 60m hurdles at the NSIC Indoor Championship with a time of 8.12.   

Jason Greenway and Justin Greenway return to anchor the 4x400 relay team that placed fourth in the NSIC Indoor Championship. Jason will also be competing in the long jump. Last year he placed third at the NSIC Indoor Championship which earned him an NCAA provisional mark. "We expect both Jason and Justin to jump in and contribute in the 60, 200 and 400 meters right away," Binstock said.

Long Distance Runners

Emma Anderson returns for mid-distance running. Anderson placed second at the NSIC Indoor Championship in the 1000m with a time of 2:53.79, which also broke the school record and set a career best for Anderson.

Leah Seivert returns to run both the 3,000 and 5,000 meters. Last year Seivert placed 13th in the 3,000 meters and fifth in the 5,000 meters earning All-American honors at the NCAA Indoor Championship.

On the men's side the group will be led by Harald Karbo, who placed second last year in the mile at the NSIC Indoor Championship with a time of 4:20.56. Karbo also went on to place fifth in the 3,000 meters at the NSIC Indoor Championships.

Keegan Carda and Glen Ellingson will also lead the long distance charge. Last year Carda placed fifth in the mile and sixth in the 5,000 meter at the NSIC Indoor Championship. Ellingson ran a season best in the 3,000 meter with a time of 8:30.72 at the NSIC Indoor Championship where he placed fourth.

Field Events

The Augustana women's will be lead by Kaylynn Erlandson, who broke the school's triple jump record with a distance of 11.5 meters at the NSIC Indoor Championship last year. Coley Stoller will also compete in the triple jump. Last year Stoller placed ninth at the NSIC Indoor Championship.

Kelsey Kaufmann will lead the Vikings in the high jump. Last year Kaufman took home 15th at the NCAA Indoor Championship with a jump of 1.63 meters.

Anthony Huber will be looking to replace record holder CJ Ham in the throw. "Anthony is developing really well in the throws," Binstock said. "It's a fairly new event for him but he's really athletic and has picked up throwing very quickly."

After the SDSU Preseason Open, Augustana will be off until Jan. 16 where they will travel to Vermillion, S.D. to compete in the USD Open.