SEATTLE, Wash. – The Augustana cross country teams close out the 2022 season with top-10 finishes at the NCAA DII National Championship. The Augustana women took home fifth place with a total of 218 points while the Viking men placed seventh accumulating 310 points. 

"It is always a battle and the national meet is unlike any other," said Director of Track and Field/Cross Country Tracy Hellman. "Having both teams finish in the top seven is a testament to the consistency of the program."

Both squads had at least one individual with All-America honors. For the women, Megan Means and Nicolette Schmidt each took hold of the honor as well as Ryan Hartman for the men. 

The men of Augustana opened the day for the Vikings. Ryan Hartman was the first to run through the chute in 19th place, running in a time of 3:14.6 to total just 17 points. Hartman began to make his move after the 3.8k marker. When he crossed the timing mat at the 4.6k mark, he had moved up nine positions and just 1k later, he was in 33rd position. He continued his pace into the 19th position at the finishing tape. 

Matt Steiger was the second finisher for Augustana crossing the finishing tape in a time of 30:38.4 in 45th place. 

Colten Brand was the final Viking to cross the finish line in the top-100 in 58th place with a time of 30:49.8 adding up 49 points. The Viking point scorers gained 22 positions over the last 1000 meters.

Jesse Kaas came in 104th running with a time of 31:18.3 while Henry Kltizke finished in 142nd in 31:44.8. Kray Person took hold of 183rd place in a time of 32:16.2. 

Erik Gundersen was the final racer for the Viking's crossing the finish line in 32:25.4 to take 193rd place.

Hartman's All-America accolade is the first of his career.

The Augustana women placed in fifth being led by Megan Means in 11th place running through the chute in a time of 20:54.6. Nicolette Schmidt was next, placing 16th to garner an All-America honor along with Means. 

Means held steady in the top 30 for most of the race, but saw her movement truly come after the 2.4k marker. She jumped from 25th to 21st, and after a circle of the course at the 5k mark, she was pacing in 17th position. She gained 11 total positions from the 4.2k mark to the finish line in 11th place.

Iris Velting was the third finisher for the Vikings taking hold of a 77th place finish crossing the finish line in a time of 21:46.4. Finishing in the top-70 with Velting were Ella Bakken in 77th (21:48.0) and Mia Salas in 79th (21:48.6).

To cap off the Vikings top-5 finish, Patty Jo English finished the race in 129th place in a time of 22:23.6 and Caroline Sudbeck in 166th with a finishing time of 22:50.2.

Means' 11th place finish gave her a second-straight All-America accolade after finishing eighth last season. Schmidt also earned a second All-America honor, improving on her 20th place finish in 2021.

"We are so thankful for all of our seniors and everyone who helped us along the way," added Hellman. "We are proud of the season and the journey of 2022. With that, we put a wrap on the 2022 cross country season.

"Like I've always said, it's a great day to be a Viking!"

Augustana Men's Finishers:
19. Ryan Hartman, 30:14.6
45. Matt Steiger, 30:38.4
58. Colten Brand, 30:49.8
104. Jesse Kaas, 31:18.3
142. Henry Klitzke, 31:44.8
183. Kray Person, 32:16.2
193. Erik Gundersen, 32:25.4

Augustana Women's Finishers: 
11. Megan Means, 20:54.6
16. Nicolette Schmidt, 21:01.2
71. Iris Velting, 21:46.4
77. Ella Bakken, 21:48.0
79. Mia Salas, 21:48.6
129. Patty Jo English, 22:23.6
166. Caroline Sudbeck, 22:50.2

– GoAugie.com –