Yak Comes back to Lead Augie Men to Victory; Sioux Falls Sneaks into NCAA’s
If today’s NCAA DII Central Region was an indication of how Sunday’s Nike Heartland Regional will be, then be ready for some fantastic races.
MENS RACE
In a display of incredible team racing tactics, Paul Yak and the Augustana men obliterated the Central Region this Saturday in Sioux Falls.
You had to see it to believe it, as Yak ran right with six of his teammates through eight of the 10,000 meters of racing at Yankton Trails on Saturday only to come back from 19th place to sprint to an eventual ten second margin of victory over Central Missouri State’s Laban Sialo.
Yak chatted instructions and encouragement to a tight pack of Vikings through the half-way mark until he made his move at a spot near four miles.
Within 60 seconds, Yak joined the leader.
In another 60 seconds, Yak was gone.
Tom Karbo had a strong last second surge to finish third, Adam Braun was 10th, Harold Karbo 11th and TJ Gleason (SF Lincoln) was 12th to round out Augie’s Top 5. Augustana ended up placing all seven runners in the Top 25 as Jordan Slusser was 19th and John Klecker was 24th.
Sioux Falls slid into the fifth and final team qualifying spot as William Brockmueller (Brandon Valley) and Matt Horan (SF Roosevelt) had outstanding races, going 6-7. Robert Brockmueller (Brandon Valley) was a strong 13th and Ethan Tabbert (SF Roosevelt) and Cody Herman (Custer HS) were 54th and 64th, respectively.