BURNSVILLE, Minn. – The six-time defending champions, Augustana men's cross country, were picked to win the NSIC in the preseason men's cross country coaches' poll. The Vikings, winners of 15 of the last 16 NSIC Championships, received all 14 first-place votes and tallied 196 points. Women's cross country was picked to finish third with 201 points and three first-place votes.

The Vikings will host four meets throughout the 2026 season, including the Augustana Twilight, Augustana Invitational, NSIC Championships and the NCAA Central Region. All four meets will be run at Yankton Trail Run. 

Men's Cross Country
The Vikings men's cross country team enters the season on the heels of its 15th NSIC title. The men's team welcomes back the NSIC Preseason Athlete of the Year, Bryant Keller, who was a NSIC First-Team performer and finished ninth in last year's NCAA Central Region. 

Head coach Scott Tanis said "Bryant had an excellent cross country season last fall and has made good progress since. After being named the NSIC Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year this past spring, I look forward to seeing him carry that momentum into the cross country season."

The Vikings also return senior Tyson Ricker, who ran in the NCAA Central Region.

"Our men performed well last fall despite their youth and the fact that many were competing at the NSIC, regional, and national meets for the first time. I'm excited to see how they draw on those experiences and continue building on the foundation they established last fall."

Women's Cross Country
The Vikings were picked to finish third in this season's Preseason Coaches' Poll with 201 points and three first-place votes. AU returns a majority of last season's Vikings while also welcoming a strong incoming class. 

"We return the vast majority of our women's team while also welcoming a strong incoming class, giving us plenty to be excited about heading into the fall. That combination has added valuable depth, strengthened our training environment, and positioned us to take meaningful steps forward as a program."

Tenley Nelson was selected as the Viking to watch. 

"Tenley recorded the highest finish of her career at the NSIC Cross Country Championships last fall and has since reached a new level of consistency in both her training and racing, highlighted by a string of personal bests throughout the indoor and outdoor track seasons. I'm excited to see how her talent, consistency, and experience come together this fall." 

The Vikings kick off their season on Friday, Sept. 4, with their annual Augustana Twilight held at Yankton Trail Park.