SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- The Augustana track & field teams are set to compete this weekend at the NSIC Championships hosted by Minnesota State in Mankato, Minnesota.
As part of the COVID-19 return to sport protocols from the NSIC, the indoor meet has been moved to a three-day event with the men's heptathlon starting on Thursday at 3 p.m. On Friday, the Heptathlon continues at 8 a.m. From there, the men's championship continues with both field and running events at 1 p.m.
The women's championship takes place on Saturday with the pentathlon beginning at noon while field and running events begin at 1 p.m.
Complete action can be found at GoAugie.com/Live where there will be a live stream of each field event and a camera on the track at all times.
The Field
In the preseason poll, Minnesota State was selected first on the men's side with UMary being the women's favorite. Both the Viking men and women were tabbed to place second in the conference. Junior Tyl Woelber and sophomore Elizabeth Schaefer were selected as Preseason Field Athletes of the Year.
Quotable
"As we enter the NSIC Championships, both teams are mentally and physically peaked for their best performance,'' said head coach Tracy Hellman. "We are optimistic and excited about the opportunity that is ahead.
"We also realize it will be very challenging but we welcome that challenge within our groups. Our last month of training/racing has been very positive and the coaching staff is excited to see our teams compete this weekend in Mankato."
About the Viking Men
There are 35 marks this season that are within the top-8 of the NSIC which would grant the Vikings points at the conference meet. Among those 35 marks, Augustana holds the top spot in seven events.
Junior Noah Melton holds the conference lead in the 600m, junior Evan Johnson in the 1000m, senior Austin Miller in the mile, senior Alec Kray in the 3000m and 5000m, the distance medley relay of Miller, senior Ryan Sully, senior Tiegen Lindner, and Johnson and junior Tyl Woelbler in the heptathlon.
Woelber is the reigning High Point Performer at the event when he scored 34 points at last year's meet. He won the heptathlon, placed second in the triple and long jumps, tied for fourth in the high jump and placed sixth in the 60m hurdles.
About the Viking Women
There are 38 marks this season that are within the top-8 of the conference which would grant the Vikings points at the conference meet. Among the 38 marks, Augustana holds the top spot in six events.
Junior Callin Naddy ranks first in the conference in the 1000m, sophomore Patty Jo English in the mile, junior Nicolette Schmidt in the 3000m, junior Mearah Miedema in the high jump and sophomore Elizabeth Schaefer in the pentathlon. Also in the group is the new school record-holding distance medley team of English, senior Sydney Mudgett, Naddy and Schmidt.
--GoAugie.com--
