SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- After a month away from the track, the Vikings are on the run and out in the field again this Friday. Both the Augustana men and women track and field teams start off 2019 at the Minnesota State Invitational on January 11 in Mankato, Minn.

A one-day event, the Minnesota State Invitational is set to start at 2 p.m. on Friday at Myers Field House.

Augustana is looking to continue where they let off more than a month ago at the South Dakota State Holiday Invite. The Vikings got a glimpse of the indoor season in December but now will get into the full swing of things before the NSIC Indoor Championship in February.  Earlier this season, in the preseason NSIC poll, the Vikings were picked to finish fourth in the conference. 

The last time out at the SDSU holiday open, the Viking women had a strong showing. In the triple jump, Senior Coley Stoller flew 37 feet 6 inches (11.43m) for a second place finish, which was Augustana's best finish of the weekend. Freshman Kaly Banks recorded a 5th place finish with a jump of 35 feet 11.5 inches (10.96m).

NSIC preseason track athlete to watch Callie DeWitt finished 6th in the Women's 60m and 7th in the long jump while competing against numerous DI athletes in Brookings. Coley Stoller, who finished second in the triple jump, also looks to keep that success going forward as the indoor season begins to heat up. 

For the men, Paul Meloche and Nick Reiffenberger started off their seasons with a 5th place finish in the 60m hurdles and a 9th finish in the 600-meter, respectively. 

The men's pole vault saw Augustana junior Matt Pohlmann fly 13 feet 7 ¼ inches (4.15m) for a 14th place finish, and Jacob Gray also took 14th in the men's long jump at 20 feet 3 ½ inches (6.18m).

As the indoor season begins to pick up momentum, the Augustana track team is ready to compete and make qualifying times. 

Fans can follow Augustana Track and Field/Cross Country all season long on twitter @AugustanaTrack