SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- Following a strong performance at the NSIC Championships, the Augustana men's and women's cross country teams travel to Joplin, Missouri, this weekend for the NCAA Central Regional Championships. 

The Vikings run Saturday morning at the Missouri Southern Cross Country Course with the women's 6k race starting at 10 a.m. and the men's 10k race following at 11:15 a.m. The top-three teams from both the men's and women's races earn a berth to the NCAA DII National Championship, Nov. 23 in Sacramento, California.

The last time out, Augustana earned a men's NSIC team and individual title as senior Aaron Runge finished first in 25:03.98. The Augustana women had a strong performance with seven finishers in the top-14, and were led by Claire Boersma with the third-place finish (22:21.10). The Viking women placed runner-up at the NSIC Championships.  

Augustana has a storied history at the NCAA Regionals, winning multiple titles across both programs. A year ago, both teams took home second place, which marked the men's 10th-straight trip to the national meet and the women's 12th qualification in 13 years. The men won seven-straight NCAA Regional titles from 2011-2017, and women last took home first in 2012.

In 2018, the programs earned 11 NCAA DII All-Region honorees. The 11 honorees for the Vikings are the most in program history and was the most of any team at the Central Regional Championships. Augustana head coach Tracy Hellman is a seven-time Region Coach of the Year. 

For more on the NCAA Central Regional Championship, including a look at the participant manual, course maps/info and live results, click here.