SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- The nationally-ranked Augustana cross country teams are set to travel to the NSIC Championships hosted by Wayne State in Wayne, Nebraska, on Saturday. The men's 8k race is scheduled for a 11 a.m. start with the women's 6k race slated for noon.
 
Live results and a live stream of the meet will be available at GoAugie.com/live and on the GoAugie app, presented by CellOnly, found in the app store and on Google Play.
 
The Augustana women enter the race standing at No. 5 in the national polls while the men hold the No. 15 spot. The women are looking for their second consecutive title and their eighth conference championship, while the men look for their third consecutive title and their 11th conference championship in the past 12 seasons. 
 
"Everything we have been doing is a build up to the NCAA Championships," said head coach Tracy Hellman. "Our training and our mindset has been one that is progressive in nature.
 
"We look at the upcoming NSIC Championships as one that is very important but also a progressive step towards NCAA Regionals and NCAA Championships. We respect the competition at the conference meet and we look forward to the challenge that awaits."
 
The No. 5 nationally-ranked women of Augustana's last showing came at the Bradley Pink Classic hosted by Bradley. The Vikings placed fifth place overall behind Division I Northwestern, Illinois, Bradley and NCAA Division II No. 2 Grand Valley State. Senior Megan Means was the first Viking through the chute placing 23rd in 20:50.9. The Viking women have placed in the top five of all meets they have raced in this season.
 
The No. 15 nationally-ranked men of Augustana had their last race at Platte River Rumble hosted by Creighton. The Vikings placed second overall ahead of all Division I competition. No. 14 Nebraska-Kearney placed first with only a 16 second total time lead. Senior Matt Steiger led the charge for the Vikings placing fourth in 23:54.6. The Viking men have yet to place below second in all meets they have raced in this season.
 
The next action for Vikings following the NSIC Championships will be the NCAA Central Regional in Joplin, Mo. on Saturday, Nov. 19. The NCAA DII National Cross Country Championships will be held on Friday, Dec. 2 in Seattle, Wash.