BOSTON – Augustana distance runner Ryan Hartman set a South Dakota Collegiate Record Saturday night. Hartman crossed the finish line of the indoor 5,000-meter run in a time of 13:54.58.
 
Hartman, an All-American honoree in cross country just two weeks ago, traveled to Boston University for the Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener Saturday to compete against the nation's best distance runners looking to eclipse the time of 13:57.96 set by Joseph Minor-Williams of South Dakota State last year.
 
Hartman simply did that, by more than three seconds while winning the seventh heat of the event. Hartman's heat consisted of 22 runners with 15 runners of the NCAA Division I ranks including Wyoming, Boise State and Michigan State.
 
"What a special moment for Ryan in Boston," Augustana director of track & field/cross country Tracy Hellman said. "Not only did he set the school record and qualify for the NCAA Division II Indoor Track & Field Championships – he did something even more impressive by setting the South Dakota collegiate record.
 
"This caps a very impressive year (2023) for him and I'm excited to see him set new goals and strive to be the best in the NCAA."
 
Hartman's time is also easily a school record, surpassing Henry Klitzke's time of 14:06.49 set last season.
 
"Today's performance is another step forward in his drive to be the best," Hellman added. "I can't wait to see what is next for him."