BURNSVILLE, Minn. - With just over two weeks to go before the start of the 2019 season, the Augustana men and women's cross country programs have been picked to finish second in the Northern Sun Conference preseason poll. On the men's side, the Vikings did collect five first-place votes but finished second overall with 161 points. The Augustana women received three first-place votes, and are also picked to finish second with 212 points. 

The University of Sioux Falls (162 points) was picked first on the men's side. Three-time defending champions the University of Mary (223) is selected first in the women's poll.

A pair of Vikings are also named preseason Athletes to Watch, including former NSIC Newcomer of the Year and three-time All-NSIC pick Jesus Urtusuastegui. The senior had a strong 2018-19 campaign, including leading the Viking men to a second-place finish at the NSIC Championships. The all-region selection finished in 15th place (30:56.4) at the NCAA Regionals and was top-200 at the NCAA Nationals last fall. A season ago at the outdoor national championships, Urtusuastegui was a steeplechase All-American for the Vikings. 

Viking sophomore Nicolette Schmidt is coming off a phenomenal freshman season and is the Athlete to Watch on the women's side. Then All-Region and All-NSIC athlete led the Viking Women at the NCAA Championship with a 75th place finish ( 24:09.2) last fall. Schmidt ran a season-best 21:50.3 at the NSIC Championships, earning first-team All-NSIC honors with her 10th place finish. 

Coming off a 10th place finish at the NCAA National Champions, the Augustana men return a number of other key pieces this fall, including five 5th-year seniors. Senior Aaron Runge finished 72nd (34.10.3) in the nation a season ago, and Nathan Schroeder crossed the finish line in 74th (34:11.2). In addition, the men return the 2017 NSIC Newcomer of the Year in Alec Kray as well as Wyatt McLeod. Overall, the Vikings return five student-athletes that were named all-conference and NCAA DII All-Region last year.

The Augustana women will also look to take the next step fall, and will likely be led by a pair of juniors in Nicolette Schmidt and Cait Savey. As a freshman in 2018, Savey finished with a time of 24:28.2 giving her a 107th place finish at national. Keep an eye on Claire Boersma (Jr.) and Rebekah Rairdon (Sr.) a pair of all-region upperclassman who will make a big impact for the Vikings. Despite graduating several of last year's front runners, the women's team will once again feature strong depth. A year ago, the Viking women set a conference record last year with nine runners on the NSIC 1st and 2nd team, and return five of those individuals. Last fall, the Viking women finished in 18th place finish at the NCAA Nationals.

Both the Augustana men and women once again begin their 2019 season with the Augustana Twilight, which is set for Friday, Sept. 6 at Yankton Trail Park in Sioux Falls, S.D. 
 

Women's Preseason Poll () = First place votes
1.      University of Mary (13)	223
2.      Augustana University (3)	212
3.      University of Minnesota Duluth	185
4.      Minnesota State University, Mankato	184
5.      University of Sioux Falls	169
6.      Winona State University	164
7.      Northern State University	131
8.      Minnesota State University Moorhead	122
9.      St. Cloud State University	113
10.  Concordia University, St. Paul	110
11.  Wayne State College	74
12.  Minot State University	70
13.  Southwest Minnesota State University	60
14.  Bemidji State University	49
15.  Upper Iowa University	39
16.   University of Minnesota Crookston	15

 

Men's Preseason Poll () = First place votes
1.      University of Sioux Falls (9)	162
2.      Augustana University (5)	161
3.      Minnesota State University Moorhead	139
4.      Minnesota State University, Mankato	129
5.      University of Minnesota Duluth	124
6.      University of Mary	109
7.      Concordia University, St. Paul	103
8.      Northern State University	83
9.      Winona State University	70
10.  Minot State University	61
11.  Southwest Minnesota State University	48
12.  Wayne State College	45
13.  Upper Iowa University	24
14.   University of Minnesota Crookston	16