JOPLIN, Mo. -- The nationally-ranked Augustana cross country teams collected top-three finishes at the NCAA Central Region Championships with a first place finish for the women and a third place overall finish for the men. Augustana's prolific finish secures its spot at the NCAA Championship in Seattle, Washington, on Dec. 2. 

"The NCAA Regionals is always a battle," said head coach Tracy Hellman. "The goal is to survive and advance. Our region is extremely competitive and has some very good individuals and teams." 

The men's race began the day for the Vikings seeing a third place overall finish behind host Missouri Southern in first and Nebraska-Kearney in second. 

The men of Augustana were led by the NSIC individual champion, Matt Steiger, who finished seventh in a time of 29:32.1. Sophomore Ryan Hartman ran alongside Steiger to take home eighth place running in a time of 29:32.8. 

Augustana saw three men named to the All-Region team including Steiger and Hartman, as well as Colten Brand who crossed the finishing tape in 12th place with a time of 29:38.0

To finish off the top-five finishers for Augustana, Jesse Kaas completed the 10k race in a time of 30:26.1 to reign in 30th place followed by Henry Klitzke in 42nd with a time of 30:37.9.

"Our men did what was needed and punched their ticket for the NCAA Championships," Hellman added. "We had some great individual result tufts, none bigger than senior Henry Klitzke. He has battled injuries this year and hasn't raced since September 3rd. This was his first race back and his performance today was instrumental to our men's qualifying."

The women garnered their third-straight NCAA Central Region Championship title collecting 62 points. The women were led by Nicolette Schmidt running through the chute in second place with a finishing time of 20:18.4. At Schmidts heels was Megan Means placing seventh in a time of 20:33.2.

The Viking women saw five named to the All-Region team in Schmidt and Means, as well as Patty Jo English, Mia Salas, and Ella Bakken. English finished the 5k race in 14th place crossing the finish tape in a time of 20:56.0. Salas was inches behind English finishing in 18th place collecting a respectful time of 21:11.8. Bakken was the final Viking named to the All-Region team, placing 21st in a time of 21:15.3. 

"The women had an outstanding day and ran one of the best team races we have run all season,"  Hellman added. "We have a veteran team with lots of experience and that showed today. We executed our race plan and are very excited to get the win. There are some very strong women's teams in our region so this is a great confidence builder heading into nationals."

"We have always circled nationals on our calendar. We are excited for one final push and I know our teams can give more and fight harder, and we will. We are almost at our peak and will be ready to go in Seattle in two weeks."

Augustana Women Finishers

2. Nicolette Schmidt, 20:18.4
7. Megan Means, 20:33.2
14. Patty Jo English, 20:56.0
18. Mia Salas, 21.11.8
21. Ella Bakken, 21:15.3
37. Caroline Sudbeck, 21:39.2
46. Iris Velting, 21:51.5

Augustana Men Finishers

7. Matt Steiger, 29:32.1
8. Ryan Hartman, 29:32.8
12. Colten Brand, 29:38.0
30. Jesse Kaas, 30:26.1
42. Henry Klitzke, 30:37.9
66. Erik Gundersen, 31:07.8
153. Nick Larson, 33:01.4

Overall Women Team Finishers

1. Augustana, 62 points
2. Pittsburg State, 120 points
3. Minnesota State, 127 points
4. Nebraska-Kearney, 146 points
5. Winona State, 151 points

Overall Men Team Finishers

1. Missouri Southern, 70 points
2. Nebraska-Kearney, 72 points
3. Augustana, 99 points
4. Pittsburg State, 127 points
5. Washburn, 157 points

Up Next
The Vikings return to action for the final time this season on Friday, Dec. 2, for the NCAA Championships in Seattle, Washington.

--GoAugie.com--