BURNSVILLE, Minn. – Augustana indoor track and field accrued quite the recognition in the 2024-25 NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll, announced Thursday morning by league officials, just a day before AU is set for its season debut under new head coach Scott Tanis.
 
The Viking men picked up a first-place vote alongside 90 points to finish second as the women also garnered a first-place vote and 145 points to finish third in the poll.
 
"What excites me most about this year's team is the combination of talent, work ethic, and team chemistry," said Tanis. "There's an energy and focus that everyone is bringing to practice, and it's clear that each athlete is committed to pushing themselves and each other to new heights. We have a great mix of experience and fresh energy, and the way everyone supports one another creates a great team dynamic. I'm excited to see how all this hard work will translate into performance on the track."
 
Meanwhile, Ryan Hartman earned individual honors as the conference's preseason male Track Athlete of the Year and was additionally named as a Vikings' Preseason Athlete to Watch. The recognition follows a junior year campaign that concluded at the NCAA Division II Indoor Track and Field Championships and featured a broken South Dakota collegiate record, three first-place finishes at the conference championships and NSIC All-Academic honors.
 
"Ryan Hartman's hard work, dedication, and consistency define his approach to running," said Tanis. "He pushes his limits daily, and is constantly focused on improvement. He is always striving for growth and continued excellence."
 
Andrew Martens also grabbed a Preseason Athlete to Watch honor after earning Second Team All-America honors at the NCAA championships a season ago. The senior returns as the reigning NSIC runner-up in the 60-meter hurdles alongside NSIC All-Academic honors.
 
"Andrew combines a strong work ethic and dedication with a relaxed, focused approach to track and field," Tanis said. "He consistently pushes himself to improve, while maintaining a calm and composed mindset. His ability to blend discipline with a laid-back attitude allows him to stay motivated and perform at his best."
 
On the women's side of the honors, senior Maia Peterson earned a Preseason Athlete to Watch distinction after claiming second place in the 400-meter dash and first place in the 4x400-meter relay at the conference championships last season.
 
Coach Tanis said, "Maia Peterson's work ethic, passion, and leadership within track are unmatched. She pushes herself and inspires her teammates with her dedication, fostering a motivating environment for the entire team."
 
The final Preseason Athlete to Watch title went to Maria Pedroso, who a season ago claimed first place in the high jump with a new personal best while also accruing a 60-meter hurdle and overall point total PRs in the pentathlon for third place at the NSIC Championships.
 
"Maria's dedication to excelling in multiple events is unmatched," said Tanis. "Her hard work and focus across disciplines, coupled with her relentless drive to improve, make her a standout athlete with a remarkable work ethic."
 
This weekend will mark the first competition for the Vikings under new leadership. Scott Tanis takes over as head coach after serving as the assistant men's and women's cross country and track & field coach at Augustana for seven seasons. He returned to the university in 2022 following a season as the head coach at St. Catherine's in St. Paul, Minnesota. Before Augustana, Tanis spent one season at Duke University after graduating from Lewis University in the Spring of 2013. 
 
"I'm excited by the team's energy and commitment this season," said Tanis. "Everyone is focused, working hard, and pushing each other for more. I'm excited to see the hard work, dedication, and consistency come to fruition, when we get to compete together as a team."
 
Augustana will kick off its indoor season on Friday at the SDSU Holiday Open up north in Brookings, S.D., while also heading out east for competition at the Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener in Boston, Mass., on Saturday.