VERSAILLES, Ky. - After missing the opportunity to join brother Jacob Kocis at the 2022 NAIA Cross Country National Championships by the narrowest margin, Josiah Kocis closed strong to ensure he'd be on the right side of the cutoff in 2023.
The Kocis' finished sixth and eighth respectively to earn the final two at-large national qualifying spots, leading Midway to a fifth-place finish at the River States Men's Cross Country Championships Saturday afternoon.
With 143 points, the Eagles were just one point behind fourth-place Indiana Kokomo. With four runners in the top-12, Shawnee State won the team title with 26 points, while Rio Grande's Tyler Jenkins medaled with a time of 24:36.70.
Jacob, the 2022 RSC champion, felt he "came out a little too hot," but regained his composure to finish in 25:34.81.
Just a little over five seconds later, his brother crossed the finish line, officially adding a fun new wrinkle to what has become an annual postseason trip.
"To have the younger brother right behind me is super exciting," Jacob said. "We've done everything together since we were little kids. So to be here in college and go on these trips and do all this together...it's extra special."
Josiah, who crossed the line in 25:39.85 Saturday, also finished eighth at last season's race, but found himself as the first man to be left out of the field. This year, he was the last to make it in, as national spots went to the top-four runners from non-winning teams.
It won't be Josiah's first national experience, as he competed when the Eagles qualified as a team in 2021. But, for sentimental reasons, he says this time will have a uniquely special feel.
"It's like a dream," he said of running with his brother on the biggest stage. "We didn't get to run together in high school because we hadn't started running yet. But to be able to compete on the same team is amazing and getting to go compete at nationals together, again, that's like a dream come true."
Other Midway scorers were Carson Milner (29th, 26:54.14), Luke Logan (62nd, 28:52.83) and Ethan Tomasso (67th, 29:26.45).
Nationals will be held in Vancouver, Wash. on Nov. 17. The brothers will be joined by Trinity Smith, who qualified after placing third in the women's race Saturday.
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