KEARNEY, Neb. - Entering 2017 both the men's and women's cross country teams had questions surrounding their teams. For the men it was after graduating four seniors would they be able to their success in the NSIC and Central Region? For the women it was could they get back after a down season last year? Both questions were answered on Saturday.

At the Kearney Country Club in Kearney, Neb. the men's and women's teams proved they were up to the challenge. The women started off the day with a solid performance, taking third and automatically qualifying for Nationals. The men were dominant, claiming their sixth straight Central Region championship. Augustana was the only team in the region to qualify both their men's and women's teams.

The men scored 43 points, 113 points ahead of the second place team (Missouri Southern, 156 points). The men's margin of victory was the largest out of any regional since 2007. The women finished with 110 points behind U-Mary (61) and Pittsburg State (102). Together, the Augustana men and women had nine all-region performers.
Leading the way for the women, was Mackenzie Kelly who finished in third with a time of 21:15.94. Other all-region performers for the Vikings were Cassidy Soli (24th) and Emily Tromp (25th). Other scorers on the women's side were Leah Seivert (26th) and Claire Boersma (32nd).

The men had six runners place in the top-18, led by Jesus Urtusuastegui who finished in fourth with a time of 31:48.76. Other all-region performers were Aaron Runge (sixth), Nick Larsen (seventh), Alec Kray (eighth), Logan Burns (18th) and Sean Heaton (19th).

The men's and women's cross country teams next competition is at the NCAA Championships at Angel Mounds in Evansville, Ind. on Nov. 18.