PITTSBURG, Kan. – The Augustana track & field teams continued its historical indoor season with several shattered records as the squads competed at the Gorilla Classic in Pittsburg, Kansas, and the SDSU Classic in Brookings, South Dakota, on Friday night.
The men's distance medley relay of Evan Johnson, Matthew Schoessow, Austin Miller and Ryan Hartman ran an absurd 9:39.26 to take second place. The time broke several records, breaking Augustana's school record by almost ten seconds, along with becoming the fastest South Dakota collegiate time. Not to overshadow the fact that the time run was under the previous meet and facility record.
The time currently stands at No. 4 on the Division II all-time list.
"We knew we were ready to hit a big mark but tonight was above my expectations," director of track & field/cross country Tracy Hellman said. "That time the men's DMR hit is a mark that is impressive on so many levels.
"Not only breaking the school record but the South Dakota collegiate record is a testament of the hard work and dedication the men have been putting in. I am extremely excited to see what this group of men accomplishes in the next few weeks."
The previous school record time of 9:49.06 came back in 2012 by the team of Travis Beniak, Khor Kong, Henrik Hansson and Tom Karbo at the NCAA Division II Indoor Championships where the relay team was crowned the National Champion.
The Vikings were also turning out impressive performances at the SDSU Classic in Brookings, South Dakota.
"Up at SDSU, the distance squad really performed at a high level," Hellman added. "We were engaging in each race and hit season and lifetime bests with many athletes.
Freshman Aubrey Surage won the 3,000m running a time of 10:18.34, teammate Ella Bakken was close behind, placing third with a time of 10:19.53.
Colten Brand won the men's 3,000m running a new personal best time of 8:18.74, running an NCAA Provisional Qualifying time. Brand's time also moves him to No. 4 on Augustana's Top-10 list.
Matt Steiger was close behind, running 8:23.88, to place third overall in his first 3,000m race of the season.
Augustana had five runners run sub 18-minute, 5,000m performances led by Megan Means, placing fourth in 17:22.75. Cait Savey placed fifth in 17:34.32.
Means' time lowers her No. 6 placement on Augustana's Top-10 list.
Ana McCabe placed ninth (17:43.28), Claire Boersma placed 10th (17:46.74) and Rebekah Rairdon placed 12th (17:50.63).
Alec Kray won the men's 5,000m running 14:15.63, well under the NCAA Qualifying time. Henry Klitzke finished third running 14:21.63 to lower his No. 4 place on Augustana's Top-10 list.
The two times currently rank 10th and 14th in the nation and first and second in the NSIC, respectively.
"We are excited about where we are as a team but are even more focused on the upcoming conference championships," Hellman added.
The Vikings return for day two of the SDSU Classic on Saturday with the first events starting at 11 a.m. Johnson, Miller and Hartman will be returning in the mile at the Gorilla Classic on Saturday at 1:50 p.m.
–GoAugie.com–
