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September 10, 2009

2009 Season - Vikings stay 11th in NCAA Cross Country Poll

After an impressive opening week of the 2009 men’s cross country season, the Augustana Vikings have stayed in 11 th place in the NCAA Division III national poll. The poll, conducted by the United States Track & Field/Cross Country Coaches Association, was released today. The Vikings of veteran head coach Paul Olsen garnered 196 points to stay in 11 th, the same position they were in when the pre-season poll was announced on August 29.

Augustana opened the 2009 season with a pair of strong showings last week. On Tuesday, September 1 the freshmen on the team got into the act first by running at the Augie Early Opener. Nathan Smith (Fenton HS, Bensenville, Ill.) and Jonathan Smith (Moline HS, Moline, Ill.) went one-two in that meet to lead the way.

Three days later the entire team competed at the Western Illinois Invitational and senior Dan Bailey (Deerfield HS, Deerfield, Ill.) won the individual title and the Vikings scored an easy team victory with just 24 points in the seven team field. Augustana put five runners in the top nine and had seven in the top 11.

North Central is the number one ranked team in the nation with 279 points while Wisconsin-LaCrosse is second with 270.

2009 NCAA DIVISION III CROSS COUNTRY POLL

conducted by the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA)

as of 09/10/09