Augustana Interregional Preview
Hi everyone - Kendall here. As a recently retired D3 runner for Colorado College, I'm thrilled to be writing for D3 Glory Days! Some of my most memorable collegiate running moments include earning All-American status in steeplechase, helping our track team clinch its first-ever conference title, adventuring in the Colorado mountains, and getting stung by a stingray the week before 2023 cross country nationals. I'm excited to bring a fresh perspective on meets I recently competed in!
As autumn leaves turn and temperatures drop, the D3 cross country world heats up with the 4th Annual Augustana Interregional Invitational. Set for Saturday, October 19, 2024, at the Saukie Golf Course in Rock Island, Ill., this meet promises to be a battle between powerhouse programs.
Augustana is historically an impressive meet (and one of my personal favorites). Picture this: a primarily flat course that snakes through pristine golf greens, lined with passionate fans cheering for their Midwest favorites. But make no mistake, this isn't just a regional showdown. Teams from coast to coast converge here, battling not only for the team title but also for those crucial at-large national meet bids. Last year's mud-fest turned the race into a test of balance as much as speed—simply staying vertical was a victory. But this year? Mother Nature's serving up a perfect slice of fall: 73°F and sunny skies. It's a recipe for fast times and unforgettable performances.
Women's Gold Division Preview:
The women's 6K Gold Division race, kicking off at 11:00 am, is shaping up to be nothing short of epic. With seven of the top 30 teams in the country lined up, including #2 Colorado College, #3 University of Chicago, and #10 DePauw, this race provides an exciting preview to the national championships.
Teams to Watch:
Colorado College (#2): Colorado College enters as the favorite following an impressive showing at the John McNichols Invitational and a team-sweep at their recent home meet. At McNichols, their top three runners delivered stellar performances: Isabel Olson (2nd D3 runner, 21:35), Sydney Rankin (3rd, 21:45), and Alison Mueller-Hickler (6th, 21:57). Saturday's race will give the Tigers a chance to showcase their depth and solidify their status as podium contenders for November's national championships.
University of Chicago (#3): The Augustana defending champions are hungry for a repeat performance after their dominant 20-point victory in 2023. Despite uncertainty surrounding top runner Evelyn Battleson-Gunkel, who was MIA at Pre-Nationals, the Maroons have shown they're still a force to be reckoned with. They've been nipping at the heels of the nation's best, finishing just 8 points behind Colorado College at McNichols and securing a strong second place at Pre-Nationals, trailing only MIT. With two near-misses fueling their fire, we are excited to see what U. of. Chicago will accomplish on Saturday.
DePauw (#10): The Tigers are ready to roar, propelled by Sophie Porter's impressive 12th-place finish (21:53) at Pre-Nationals. The entire teams strong showing, which saw them outpace Wash U, catapulted DePauw from #15 to #10 in the national rankings. Augustana presents a golden opportunity for the Tigers to cement their top-10 status and potentially challenge higher-ranked teams.
Calvin (#11): Don't sleep on the Knights! Sophie Bull's impressive 21:55 at McNichols Invitational and Jenna Allman's dominant home meet victory (21:49, winning by ten seconds) suggest Calvin could be dark horses. The team has a history of excelling at Augustana, placing fifth in 2023. With this momentum, the Knights are charging towards the national top 10 conversation.
Wash U (#12): The Bears are eager to climb the rankings after their showing at Pre-Nationals. They finished fourth, narrowly missing third place by just two points to DePauw. Led by Jillian Heth, (22nd at Pre-Nats in 22:06) Wash U aims for redemption at Augustana. A solid performance this weekend could propel the Bears back into the national top 10.
In the team battle, while Colorado College and Chicago are the clear favorites, don’t sleep on Calvin, Depauw, or Wash U. All three teams have the firepower to pull off an upset if their packs run well.
Individuals to Watch:
The individual race is anybody's guess. With only two of last year's top ten returning to Rock Island in 2024, we're in for some fresh faces at the front. Here are some individuals to keep an eye on:
Evelyn Battleson-Gunkel (U. of Chicago): If she races, her presence will be a game-changer. Last year's Augustana Interregional champion, Battleson-Gunkel knows how to perform well on this course. She started her season strong with a dominating win at the McNichols invitational, but has yet to race again. We have to wonder if she will toe the line on Saturday.
Deyanneira Colon-Maldonado (Aurora): Colon-Maldonado’s resume speaks volumes. She's a cross country All-American (29th at nationals last year) and track star (4th in the 1500m, 11th in the 5k at outdoor nationals). Her recent 4th place finish at Pre-Nationals (21:34) shows she's ready to compete with the best. This Saturday, Anderson aims to build on that momentum with another high placement. Given her track record, don't be surprised to see Colon-Maldonado in the front of the pack at Augustana.
Isabel Olson and Sydney Rankin (Colorado College): These Tigers have roared onto the national scene. At the McNichols Invitational, Olson and Rankin impressed as the second and third D3 runners behind Battleson-Gunkel. Now, they're both eyeing top-five finishes at Augustana. Strong individual performances from this duo could be key to Colorado College's team success.
Sophie Bull (Calvin): Bull has been turning heads this season, notching a stellar 5th place finish (21:55) at the McNichols Invitational. As a three-time Augustana veteran and national standout (5th place Steeplechase All-American), Bull knows how to perform when it counts. A top-5 finish from Bull could be crucial in Calvin's bid to hold or improve their #10 ranking
Dark Horses:
Paige Anderson (Kalamazoo): Anderson's recent breakout performance at Pre-Nationals, where she finished 8th with a time of 21:45, marks a dramatic improvement over her 41st place finish at Augustana in 2023. We are excited to see if Anderson can maintain her momentum and potentially shake up the field with another strong performance on Saturday.
Emma Odle (Augustana): Odle's 11th place finish at Pre-Nationals (21:48) builds on her 2023 second-team All-American finish in the steeplechase. Expect a strong home crowd cheering her on as she aims to surprise the field on familiar turf.
Sophie Porter (DePauw): Porter's 12th place finish at Pre-Nats (21:53) has her primed for a breakthrough. In a recent chat with D3 Glory Days, Porter and her DePauw teammates expressed confidence in their upward trajectory. Look for Porter to target a top-ten finish this Saturday.
Ellie Meyer (Wartburg): Meyer boasts an impressive D3 career resume. She is a Steeplechase All-American and placed 17th at this meet in 2023. Don’t be surprised if this veteran mixes it up in the top 10 this weekend.
Men's Gold Division Preview:
At 11:45 am, the men will take center stage for what promises to be an epic 8k battle. With six of the top 25 teams in the nation, including #2 Wartburg, #4 North Central, and #5 UW-Whitewater, this race is anyone's game.
Teams to Watch:
Wartburg: The Knights enter as favorites (ranked #2), fresh off impressive performances. They placed second to UW-La Crosse at the McNichols Invitational, with Isaiah Hammerand leading the charge (6th, 24:27). More recently, Wartburg showcased their dominance with a perfect 15-point score at the Dan Huston Invitational. Hammerand again led the pack, closely followed by Tyler Schermerhorn (2nd, 24:32). With their depth and recent success, Wartburg will be a top contender on Saturday.
North Central: Never count out the Cardinals. Led by heavy hitter Emerald Svienty, North Central has impressed with a fourth-place finish at the John McNichols Invitational and a fifth-place showing at the primarily Division I Louisville Classic. BJ Sorg has emerged as a crucial No. 2 runner, placing 12th (24:10) at Louisville. The fourth-ranked Cardinals aim to solidify their status as national podium contenders with a strong showing at Augustana.
UW-Whitewater (#5): The Warhawks boast a lethal top three in Gunner Schlender, Christian Patzka, and Dan Anderson, who swept 1st, 2nd, and 4th at Pre-Nationals. Fresh off a second-place finish to Pomona-Pitzer at that meet, UW-Whitewater is once again eyeing the top spot at Augustana. Expect a tight battle as the Warhawks go head-to-head with North Central and Wartburg for the win on Saturday.
Wash U (#18): The Bears are on the rise and poised to make a statement. Led by Cullen Capuano's 10th place finish (24:45), Wash U secured 5th at Pre-Nationals, edging out U. of Chicago by a mere two points. This Saturday, the Bears aim to solidify their position ahead of Calvin and U. Chicago (#30) with another strong performance at Augustana.
Calvin (#19): Another team that could shake things up. The Knights placed 8th at the John McNichols Invitational, led by Luke Witvliet's 24:52. More recently, they finished second at their home meet, where Eric Swinson closed the gap on Witvliet (14:51 and 14:55 respectively). With their top two runners in strong form, Calvin aims to break into the top fifteen at Augustana,
The team battle appears evenly matched. While Wartburg enters as the favorite, North Central's depth and UW-Whitewater's strong front-runners could upset the balance. Wash U and Calvin, both steadily improving, may also influence the team standings.
Individuals to Watch:
The individual race is shaping up to be a battle. Here are some runners to keep an eye on:
Gunner Schlender and Christian Patzka (UW-Whitewater): Schlender and Patzka went 1-2 at the PreNationals meet two weeks ago. At this meet last year, Patzka won, and Schlender placed third. We will see if any of the other heavy-hitters in the field can break up this duo.
Emerald Svienty (North Central): Much like their fellow 5th year veterans Patzka and Schlender, Svienty has had a decorated D3 career. With more accolades and All-American finishes than we can count, including a 4th place finish at last year's Augustana invite and 3rd at the 2023 National Meet, no one will be surprised to see Svienty in the top 5 finishers this weekend.
Isaac Van Westrienen (Cornell College): Van Westrienen has established himself as a top contender this season. His 3rd place finish at the John McNichols Invitational (24:19) and recent runner-up showing at Carleton's Running of the Cows demonstrate his consistency at the front of the pack. Building on his strong 2023 indoor track season (14:09 5k, qualifying for outdoor nationals), Van Westrienen looks primed to challenge for another top-5 finish at Augustana this Saturday.
Isaiah Hammerand and Tyler Schermerhorn (Wartburg): Hammerand has been having a heck of a season (6th at John McNichols and 1st at the Dan Huston Invitational). Schermerhorn has proved his talent as a D3 runner, placing 2nd in the 10k at outdoor nationals last year, 12th in the outdoor 5k, and recently scoring 2 points at Dan Huston. Look for these two Wartburg runners to be battling near the front of the pack.
Dark Horses:
BJ Sorg (North Central): Don't underestimate this Cardinal. Sorg is having a breakthrough season, placing 9th at the John McNichols Invitational and 12th at the Louisville Classic. He's primed to challenge for a top-five finish at Augustana this weekend.
Mason Shea (Wis.-Eau Claire): This senior boasts an impressive D3 resume, including 2023 All-American honors in the indoor mile and outdoor steeplechase. After narrowly achieving All-American status (39th) at last year's cross country nationals, Shea is hunting for a breakthrough race this season. Augustana could be his perfect stage.
Cullen Capuano (Wash U): Capuano is soaring in his senior season, with 13th and 10th place finishes at the John McNichols Invitational and Pre-Nationals, respectively. As a returning cross country All-American (38th in 2023), he's proven he can compete with the nation's best. Watch for Capuano to challenge the field on Saturday.
Questions That'll Keep Us Up at Night:
Can North Central's men challenge Wartburg for the top spot, or will UW-Whitewater play spoiler?
With Evelyn Battleson-Gunkel's participation uncertain, who will seize the individual title in the women's race?
Can Colorado College women translate their #2 ranking into a dominant performance on Midwest soil?
How will Emerald Svienty of North Central fare against the strong UW-Whitewater frontrunners?
How will rising programs like DePauw Women (#10) Calvin Women (#11) fare against the established powerhouses?
Which teams will make the biggest moves in the national rankings after this meet?
The Augustana Interregional Invitational has become a pivotal event in the D3 calendar, offering crucial insights as teams approach the championship season. With numerous ranked teams and top individuals competing, Saturday's results could significantly reshape the national rankings.
The Saukie Golf Course is the place to be this Saturday. This meet promises amazing D3 cross country action that you won't want to miss! Live results can be found on Wayzata timing: https://results.wayzatatiming.com/meets/41192.