SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- Augustana cross country opens the 2023 season hosting the 12th Annual Augustana Twilight under the lights at Yankton Trails Park on Friday, the women's 5k is slated for an 8:40 p.m. start while the men's four mile race is at 9:10 p.m. 

After finishing last season with top-10 results at the DII National Championships, both the Augustana men's and women's cross country teams start the 2023 season among the nation's best, as the USTFCCCA ranked the Vikings' women sixth in the nation and the men seventh, with both also slotting at the top of the Central Region Rankings.

The Twilight is expected to attract 75 high schools and 35 collegiate programs. The 34 colleges and universities for the collegiate races consist of five Division I schools, nine Division II schools, six Division III schools, 11 NAIA schools and four NJCAA schools. 

Amongst the Division I programs, the Vikings will compete against the Big Ten's Nebraska Cornhuskers and regional foes of Omaha, South Dakota, South Dakota State, and St. Thomas (Minn.). From the Division II schools, all 10 represent the NSIC.

Both Augustana teams were tabbed to finish at the top of the NSIC in the preseason coaches' poll. Along with high recognition at the team level, the Vikings also claimed the men's cross country NSIC Preseason Athlete of the Year, Ryan Hartman.

The Vikings men's cross country team, which is coming off a season in which they won their 12th NSIC title and earned a seventh-place finish at the NCAA Division II Championships, return three All-NSIC first-team members return in senior Colten Brand, junior Ryan Hartman, and sophomore Erik Gundersen, and an All-NSIC second-team member in senior Nick Larson. Hartman was selected as the NSIC Preseason Athlete of the Year after an All-American campaign in 2022, while Gunderson earned 2022 NSIC Newcomer of the Year. 

For the women's program, the team looks to build off a phenomenal year which included championships from the NSIC and NCAA Central Region along with a fifth-place finish at the NCAA Division II Championships.

Junior Ella Bakken looks to build off a sophomore season that saw her garner USTFCCCA All-Central Region honors while earning second-team All-NSIC honors. Also earning second-team All-NSIC honors last season was junior Taylor Melton, who is joined by juniors Caroline Sudbeck and Aubrey Surage as three that look to build off of top-25 finishes at the 2022 NSIC Championships.

--GoAugie.com--