2011 Augustana University Women’s Cross Country Team
Augustana earned the NSIC’s first NCAA Division II Women’s Cross Country National Champion in 2011 following a stellar performance in Spokane, Washington. It was the Viking’s first national title in women’s cross country and the school’s second overall team national championship at the time.
The Vikings netted just 75 points at a snowy Plantes Ferry Athletic Complex to defeat runner-up Western State (Colo.) by four points.
Leah Hansen led the Vikings, finishing 12th, running the 6,000-meter course in 21:40.40. Runa Falch finished directly behind her teammate in 21:42.40; Kristin Brondbo (21:47.90) and Kyle Blakeslee (21:53.30) rounded out this cluster of Augustana runners by finishing 15th and 18th, respectively. Kelly Kougl finished the scoring by placing 29th in 22:08.40. All five of the Vikings’ scoring runners earned All-America honors.
“We needed everyone to perform today, and we got exactly that. It’s an unbelievable and special feeling that’s hard to put into words. We ran the perfect strategic race and controlled the event,” said Head Coach Tracy Hellman.
Augustana was forced to deal with less-than-ideal weather conditions. Snowy and cold conditions persisted throughout the race--a factor Hellman said didn’t come into play much for his Vikings. “We were ready for any type of conditions” Hellman said. “We were so incredibly focused on what we needed to do.”
Other Viking women’s runners included Annie Pfeifle, who placed 46th in 22:34.60, and Maddy Jourgensen, who took 108th in 23:49.90.
Hellman was later voted USTFCCCA National Coach of the Year for guiding the Vikings to their historic season.
2011 Augustana Women’s Cross Country Roster
| NAME |
YR. |
HOMETOWN |
HIGH SCHOOL |
| Leah Hansen |
Jr. |
Moorhead, Minn. |
Moorhead |
| Kyle Blakeslee |
Jr. |
Cannon Falls, Minn. |
Cannon Falls |
| Kristin Brondbo |
So. |
Steinkjer, Norway |
Steinkjer |
| Megan Brown |
Fr. |
Sioux Falls, S.D. |
Roosevelt |
| Megan Erspamer |
Jr. |
Chetek, Wis. |
Chetek |
| Runa Falch |
So. |
Steinkjer, Norway |
Steinkjer |
| Maddy Jourgenson |
Fr. |
Craig, Colo. |
Moffah County |
| Kelsey Junget |
So. |
Chaska, Minn. |
Chaska |
| Molly Kokesh |
Jr. |
Scotland, S.D. |
Scotland |
| Kelly Kougl |
Sr. |
Cheyenne, Wyo. |
East |
| Annie Pfeifle |
Jr. |
Rapid City, S.D. |
Stevens |
| Alyssa Schmidt |
So. |
Slayton, Minn. |
Murray County Central |
| Gabi Swoboda |
Fr. |
Redwood Falls, Minn. |
Redwood Valley |
| Kaitlyn Yoerg |
Fr. |
Clear Lake, Minn. |
Becker |
Women's Cross Country Coaching Staff