NEW ORLEANS, LA. - After finishing last season with a seventh place result at the DII National Championships, the Augustana women's cross country team will start the 2024 season among the nation's best. On Wednesday, the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) ranked the Augustana women fourth in the nation.
 
In the Central Region poll announced Tuesday, the women found themselves atop the ladder, ahead of Pittsburg State, UMary, Winona State and Missouri Southern.
 
Augustana, who was picked first in the women's NSIC preseason poll, look to rely on a strong core of returners from 2023.
 
Senior Aubrey Surage looks to build off of an All-American campaign while senior Ella Bakken enters the season after earning her second consecutive USTFCCCA All-Central Region honors. Also earning All-Region honors were twin sisters Ashley and Amanda Overgaauw.

Both the Augustana men and women open their 2024 season with the Augustana Twilight this Friday, Sept. 6, at Yankton Trail Park in Sioux Falls, S.D.
 
About the USTFCCA
 The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) is a non-profit professional organization representing cross country and track & field coaches of all levels. The organization represents thousands of coaching members encompassing NCAA track & field programs (DI, DII, and DIII) and includes members representing the NAIA and NJCAA, as well as a number of state high school coaches associations.