NEW ORLEANS, LA. -- After finishing last season with top-20 results at the DII National Championships, both the Augustana men's and women's cross country teams start the 2019 season among the nation's best. On Wednesday, the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) ranked the Augustana men ninth in the nation and the women 10th.

In the central region poll announced Tuesday, the Viking women are second behind fellow NSIC foe UMary, and the men are third behind both Missouri Southern (1) and Sioux Falls (2).

Augustana, who was picked second in both the men and women's NSIC preseason poll, return a number of key pieces for both programs. On the men's side, the Vikings will be paced by 2016 NSIC Newcomer of the Year and three-time All-NSIC pick, Jesus Urtusuastegui. Senior Aaron Runge finished 72nd (34.10.3) in the nation a season ago, and Nathan Schroeder, Alec Kray, Wyatt McLeod will have a big impact on the course. Overall, the Vikings return five student-athletes that were named all-conference and NCAA DII All-Central Region last year. 

The Augustana women will likely be led by a pair of sophomores 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 nationals. Junior Claire Boersma and senior Rebekah Rairdon are a pair of all-region upperclassman who will help lead the Vikings. Last year, the Viking women set a conference record with nine runners on the NSIC first and second team, and return five of those individuals. Also in 2018, the Viking women finished in 18th place finish at the NCAA Nationals. 

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

For a complete look at the poll, click here. 

About the USTFCCA

The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) is a non-profit professional organization representing cross country and track & field coaches of all levels. The organization represents thousands of coaching members encompassing NCAA track & field programs (DI, DII, and DIII) and includes members representing the NAIA and NJCAA, as well as a number of state high school coaches associations.