2015 Cross Country Preview: Viking youth have aspirations of championships

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - Augustana men's and women's cross country teams are a very young, but experienced group and look to continue building off the successes of last season.

Tracy Hellman returns for his 16 season as head coach for Augustana Cross Country. Hellman last year guided the men's team to its sixth straight Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Championship, and a third-place finish at the NCAA championship. While the women are coming off their sixth NSIC championship in seven season, and a fifth-place finish at the NCAA championship.

The expectations will be high coming into the season for the Vikings as coach Hellman expects another successful season with aspirations of a national championship.

"Our goal is to always place in the top five when it comes to nationals." Hellman said "On the men's side, in my 16 years of coaching Division II cross country, this is the most wide-open it has ever been, their are a handful team that have a chance to win a national title and I feel we are one of those handful of teams."

"On the women's side I feel if the women come together and put in a strong effort and hit on all cylinders they can compete and place in the top five, which for a young team would be pretty special."

The men's side is a young but experienced group this year led by All-American and pre-season NSIC Athlete of the Year, Harald Karbo. Karbo last year placed sixth at the NCAA Championships, tying the highest finish in Augustana history. Karbo also took home the individual title at the NCAA Central Region Championship.

Along with Karbo, the Vikings welcome back five runners who ran at the NCAA Championship including All-Americans Nathan Hauge, Glen Ellingson and last year's NSIC Freshman of the Year, Nick Larsen.

"We certainly have a veteran group of guys." Hellman said. "We have guys who have run a lot of regional and championship meets, and having the nucleus of the team back I believe this group of men can run with anybody in the nation."

On the women's side, it will be a young group but thin in roster size.

Leading the way will be sophomore sensations, Annie Kruse and Leah Seivert. Kruse finished ninth at the NCAA Regional Championship and was named NSIC Freshman of the year. Seivert finished 10 at the NCAA Championship, earning her All-America honors.

"Leah and Annie we thought were going to be special for us but they came in and exceeded our expectations." Hellman said "We hope their goals will match ours and that is climbing up the NCAA ladder and contend to be All-Americans and be the top runners in the conference."

Augustana will be looking for new faces to come in and fill in the roster to help continue the success and tradition of the women's cross country team.

"Every girl is going to be vital for us." Hellman said "This year we will be calling upon some new faces to lead the charge, were going to need some girls who have never been in this role to step up."

The Vikings will welcomes 12 men and four women freshmen to its roster.

"This is the best recruiting class since I have been here at Augustana." Hellman said "Whether or not they can make an impact right away it's to be determined."

Augustana will open the season hosting the fifth annual Augustana Twilight on Sept. 4 at 8 p.m. and it has become one of the more premiere cross country meets in the region.       

"What we're trying to create is not just a cross country meet, but an event." Hellman said "We are trying to get the average person to come out and watch the meet by making it a little more festive and making it viewer friendly where you can sit in one general area and enjoy most of the race."