SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- Running under the stars on a course illuminated by lights and glow sticks, the Augustana men's and women's cross country teams started off their 2019 season with a pair of top-three finishes at the Augustana Twilight. The Viking men finished in second overall (four mile), and the Viking women took home third (5K). 

The Vikings focus was on running strong as a team, and the results paid off. Overall, the women finished with eight runners in the top 30, and the men finished with six in the top 37. 

"It was a good day, we competed really hard," Augustana head coach Tracy Hellman said. "The most important person on the team is the person next to you. A lot of teams focus on having one top runner - but you win championships with your 4-5-6-7-8. That is what we are working on developing right now."

The Augustana men, who finished as the top DII team and only second to Nebraska, were led Aaron Runge. The senior finished seventh overall at 19:19:34. Matt Steiger, a Viking sophomore, crossed the line in 19:52.40 checking in at 22nd overall. Junior Austin Miller finished just two seconds behind him (19:54.28), good for 24th.

Three more Viking men finished in the top-37, including senior Nathan Schroeder (29th, 19:58.92) and Jesus Urtusuastegui (32nd, 20:02.25). Senior Skylar DeJong crossed the line in 20:06.48 for Augustana. More than 320 runners competed in this year's Twilight and 12 Vikings finished in the top-100.  

On the women's side, Augustana finished third among 25 programs competing. The top DII team in the standings, Augustana was led by a 17th place finish from Nicolette Schmidt (18:13.95). Viking freshman Megan means was just a step off her pace, finishing in 18th place at 18:14.26.

Four Vikings finished 20th-23rd, led by Cait Savey (18:18.87), Rebekah Rairdon (18:28.30), Haylee Waterfall (18:30.52) and junior Rachel Rairdon (18:30.63). Claire Boersma marked the 8th Viking to finish in the top-30, crossing the line at 18:44:54 (29th place).

The Vikings now have a few weeks off before heading up to Minneapolis for the Roy Griak Invitational, Sept. 28.