JOPLIN, Mo. -- The nationally-ranked Augustana women's cross country team earned an automatic bid to the NCAA DII National Championships after placing second at the NCAA Central Region Championships on Saturday morning. On the men's side, Ryan Hartman placed second individually to lead the Viking efforts, a finish good enough to earn him an automatic bid to the NCAA DII National Championships. 

The women garnered their sixth-straight top three finish at the NCAA Central Region Championships collecting 95 points. The women were led by Ella Bakken, closing in 10th place with a finishing time of 21:06.2. At Bakken's heels was Aubrey Surage, who placed 12th in a time of 21:11.7.

The Viking women saw four named to the All-Region team with Bakken and Surage joined by the Overgaauw twins. Ashley Overgaauw crossed the finish line in 21:26.5 to close the race in 18th, while Amanda Overgaauw was the final AU runner to earn All-Region honors with a time of 21:31.1, good for 20th. Rounding out the top five Vikings was Tenley Nelson, who finished 35th with a time of 21:53.2.

The men's race closed the day for the Vikings, as they saw a seventh place overall finish. Ryan Hartman followed up his NSIC Championship with a second-place finish this morning, finishing the race in 29:51.4.

Colten Brand was the next finisher for the Vikings, closing the day at 31:34.5, good for 26th. In 39th place was Brady Hogan, running in a time of 31:51.00. 

In his first race of the season, Erik Gundersen placed 57th with a 32:30.5 time, and capping off the top-five Vikings was Nick Larson, whose time of 32:42.66 placed 73rd. 

Augustana Women Finishers

10. Ella Bakken, 21:06.3
12. Aubrey Surage, 21:11.8
18. Ashley Overgaauw, 21:26.6
20. Amanda Overgaauw, 21:31.1
35. Tenley Nelson, 21:53.3
41. Laura Thompson, 22:02.4
44. Ana McCabe, 22:05.9

Augustana Men Finishers

2. Ryan Hartman, 29:51.5
26. Colten Brand, 31:34.6
39. Brady Hogan, 31:51.0
57. Erik Gundersen, 32:20.6
73. Nick Larson, 32:42.7
75. Kadin Groen, 32:43.9
96. Dawson Strom, 33:08.4

Overall Women Team Finishers

1. Winona State, 52 points
2. Augustana, 95 points
3. Pittsburg State, 128 points
4. UMary, 142 points
5. Missouri Southern, 205 points

Overall Men Team Finishers

1. East Central, 40 points
2. Pittsburg State, 112 points
3. Northwest Missouri State, 125 points
4. Washburn, 126 points
5. Missouri Southern, 165 points


Up Next
The women have secured their spot for the NCAA Championships back in Joplin, Mo., on Nov. 18, while the men must wait to learn if they have received an at-large bid.