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December 1, 1999

1999 Men's Cross Country Review

Junior Brad Slupianek (Crystal Lake Central HS, Crystal Lake, IL) had an outstanding season in 1999 for the Augustana Vikings men's cross country team. Slupianek became the first Viking since 1996 to finish in the top 10 in the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin when he placed 10th at the conference meet on October 30 at Maxwell Park in Normal, Illinois.

Slupianek crossed the finish line with a time of 26:45.16 over the 8000-meter course. His effort helped Augustana place third in the team standings with 86 points. The last Augustana athlete to finish in the top 10 in the CCIW championship was All-American Ambo Bati, who won the individual title in 1996.

All season long Slupianek was among the team leaders for the Vikings, finishing as the top runner in five different meets. He won the 4000 meter division at the Wartburg Dan Huston Invitational on October 2 with a time of 12:58. His effort helped Augustana win the team title with 26 points over Wartburg and St. Olaf, among others. Slupianek was also sixth at the always tough Luther All-America Invitational way back on September 11 and that individual effort helped the Vikings to a second place finish.

Veteran head coach Paul Olsen had only two seniors among his own top 10 this year so the future looks bright for the Vikings. One of those seniors, David Martinez (Bear Creek HS, Morrison, CO) put together a solid season himself. Martinez was the Vikings top runner in three meets this year, including a second place finish in the Augustana Open and a 52nd place in the NCAA Division III Midwest Regional.

Augustana won the Wartburg Dan Huston Invitational, placed second in the Luther All-America Invitational, third in the Brissman-Lundeen Invitational, Lamb Kohawk Invitational and CCIW.

1999 CCIW Men's Cross Country Championship

October 30, 1999

Maxwell Park, Normal, Illinois

8000 Meters

Team Scores

Individual Top Ten