Vikings shine at regionals; men advance to nationals

On Nov. 8, Augustana’s men and women’s cross country teams competed in the NCAA Central Region Cross Country Championships in Joplin, Missouri, earning fifth and seventh place respectively.

While the women’s season has come to a close, the men’s team received a bid and will advance to the NCAA Division II National Championship on Nov. 22 at the Wayne E. Dannehl National Cross Country Course in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

For many runners, the regional meet was one of the biggest stages they had experienced. Senior Kadin Groen said the energy and support from teammates helped calm nerves and push the team forward.

“We had 32 guys come out to cheer for the team and make that eight-hour drive, which is always super cool to see,” Groen said. “It means a lot.”

Senior Tenley Nelson echoed the sentiment, noting that the encouragement from teammates and parents was especially meaningful.

Sophomore Bryant Keller and Groen, who placed 9th and 16th respectively, earned All-Region honors for the men. Sophomore Allyson Sample earned the same recognition for the women and placed 25th.

Scott Tanis, head coach of cross country, praised Keller’s composure and maturity after his top-10 finish.

“It’s very clear to me that Bryant’s very talented,” Tanis said. “But a big part of it is his ability to rise to the occasion in big moments. I think that was very impressive.”

Other top placers amongst the Viking men were sophomores Payton Brown with 26th, Isaiah Anderson with 36th and Peyton Willbanks with 37th.

As for the women’s team, junior Ramsey Karim placed 26th, senior Tenley Nelson placed 27th, and sophomores Kaelyn Nelson and Abby Cutler placed 63rd and 64th respectively.

Tenley Nelson reflected on the women’s season with pride.

“I think we did well,” she said. “I think it was a little bit of a hard season after having so many people graduate last year. We didn’t quite achieve our goals, but we all put everything into it and that’s something we can walk away being proud of.”

Tanis said he was indeed proud of both teams’ performances, especially considering their growth from last season. The men’s team improved from seventh to fifth place, while the women’s team remained competitive despite a younger roster.

“Nobody runs perfectly, and at the end of the year it’s about trying to navigate challenges — injuries, sicknesses, and adversity — as best you can,” Tanis said. “I think we largely did a good job at that.”

Overall, Tanis credited the teams’ success to the athletes’ own drive and discipline.

“It’s not necessarily my job to motivate them,” he said. “It’s about providing guidance and helping them channel their motivation effectively.”

Looking ahead, both coach and runners are optimistic about continued progress.

“I think as a team we all stepped up,” Keller said. “We trusted each other to perform when it mattered.”

As the men’s team prepares for nationals, Tanis said their focus will remain consistent.

“We won’t reinvent the wheel in the next couple weeks,” he said. “The biggest thing this time of year is just trying to be as healthy as we can.”