SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The Augustana track & field teams are sending 10 individuals to Allendale, Mich, on May 26-28, to compete in the NCAA Division II Championships, the NCAA announced Tuesday.
"We are extremely excited to announce our NCAA outdoor track qualifiers," director of track & field/cross country Tracy Hellman said. "In a very challenging spring weather season, and the increased competitiveness of Division II, the coaching staff is very proud to have such a large number of NCAA qualifiers.
"This group of athletes is a testament to many hours and years of hard work and training. We cannot wait to head to Michigan next week for the NCAA Championships and watch these athletes representing Augustana track and field compete against the best in DII."
Mearah Miedema - High Jump
Miedema, local to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, cleared 5-9.25 at the Minnesota State Open to punch her ticket to the national championship. Her mark ranks her in a tie for sixth in the nation.
Cami Streff - 800m
Streff, a native of Madison, South Dakota, ran the No. 2 time in school history in the 800m at the Bryan Clay Invitational, running 2:09.04. Her time ranks her 20th in the nation.
Austin Miller - 1,500m
Miller, a local of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, ran the 10th-fastest time in Division II history over 1,500m earlier this. His personal best time of 3:40.59 ran at the Byran Clay Invitational, lowering the school record by nearly five seconds. The historic mark ranks him third in the nation this season.
Patty Jo English - 1,500m, 5,000m
The Elko, Minnesota, native will make her second appearance at the NCAA Outdoor Championships. English will be competing in the 5,000m with her time of 16:35.87, which ranks her 23rd in the nation. She will also drop down in distance running the 1,500m with her qualifying time of 4:27.98, ranking 29th in the nation.
Nicolette Schmidt - 1,500m
Schmidt, a Redfield, South Dakota, native, ran the No. 4 time in school history over 1,500m running 4:27.17 at the historic Drake Relays. She shaved almost three seconds off last year's personal best to be ranked 25th in the nation.
Ryan Hartman - 3,000m Steeplechase, 5,000m
Hartman, hailing from Wausau, Wisconsin, has left his mark in Augustana's history book, recording two top-2 times this season. In just his fourth 3,000m steeplechase of his career, he ran a blistering time of 8:44.07, just three seconds shy of the school record. Additionally, Hartman is the second-ever Viking to break 14:00 in the 5,000m, running 13:59.04 to make his second top-2 performance within Augustana's top-10 list. He enters the national championship meet ranked fourth in the 3,000m steeplechase and 18th in the 5,000m.
Tyl Woelber - High Jump, Javelin
For the second-straight year, Woelber will be headed to Allendale, Michigan, to compete at the NCAA Outdoor Championships. This year, he has qualified in both the high jump and javelin. In the regular season, Woelber broke the school record in both events, being the first Viking to clear seven feet in the high jump with his leap of 7-0.25. He also broke his own school record in the javelin, with a throw of 209-4 increasing his school record by three feet.
Kaly Banks - Triple Jump
With a massive personal best in the triple jump, going from one meet (39-6.5) to the next meet (40-10.5). Banks, a native of Cannon Falls, Minnesota, Augustana's school record holder in the triple jump, will make the trip to the national meet. Her mark ranks her 15th in the nation.
Megan Means - 10,000m
Means, hailing from Norfolk, Neb, ran the No. 4 time in school history in the 10,000m at the Mt. Sac Relays, qualifying her for the national meet. Her time of 34:55.50 was a near 30-second personal best and ranks her 14th in the nation.
Rebekah Rairdon - 3,000m Steeplechase
Rairdon, coming from Fort Collins, Colo, ran a near personal best time of 10:36.61 in the 3,000m steeplechase at the Bryan Clay Invitational to be among the nations-best. Her time ranks her 17th in the nation.
–GoAugie.com–
