TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Despite record-breaking success, Carson Milner's first two years at Midway also produced a lot of agonizing near misses.

After arriving from Walton-Verona High School (Ky.) in the fall of 2023, Milner quickly became one of the most accomplished distance runners in Midway history.

He currently owns four program records across indoor and outdoor track, including the outdoor 1,500-meter run, an event that saw him win a River States Conference championship last spring.

Milner's efforts also got him right on the cusp of qualifying for numerous NAIA National Championship races, only to miss by ultra-thin margins on multiple occasions.

In the 2024 outdoor season, he ran a personal-best time of 3:55.66 in the 1,500, 1.56 seconds shy of the national qualifying standard. He then cut his time to 3:54.17 in the same event the next year, only to again fall just shy of the new standard time of 3:52.

The narrow misses extended to the fall as well

At the River States Conference Cross Country Championships, the top-four runners on non-qualifying teams receive NAIA National Championship invitations, so long as they finish in the top-15 overall.

In 2024, Milner met half the criteria. While he was the fourth-best finisher on a non-qualifying team, his 19th-place time of 26:25.5 in a very deep field again left him just on the outside.

"The first year, I didn't really know what I'd done," Milner said. "The second year I was looking at it like 'Shoot, I was really close.'"

While disappointed, Milner says the close calls didn't hurt his confidence, as he entered the 2025 cross country season with his best chance to reach a national race.

Following the departures of Jacob Kocis and Josiah Kocis, who ran at a combined eight NAIA National Championships, Milner has thrived as the Eagles' top runner.

He began his junior season with a win at the Asbury Eagle Opener in August, then earned another at the Midway Invitational in September. Along the way, he added program records in the 6K and 8K to his resume.

And, at long last, he was able to put a bow on the season by capturing an elusive national spot.

At the River States Championships on Nov. 8, Milner left no doubt he'd be leaving Rio Grande, Ohio a national qualifier, cutting nearly 45 seconds from his time at the 2024 race and finishing fourth in 25:40.87.

"It was a relief more than anything," he said of qualifying. "We knew the goal going into the year."

After his recent breakthrough, Milner has an even greater goal at the national race, which will be held at Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee, Fla. at 9:30 a.m. Friday.

Milner says "Now that we've gotten there, (the goal is to) try and get into the top-40," which would make him the first All-American in program history.

Despite his optimism, Milner admits he isn't exactly sure what to expect when the race begins, saying "The only thing I really know is it's going to be big, people-wise (and) course-wise." 

How he reacts in the moment remains to be seen, but in the days leading up to the race, Eagle head coach Jay Walls says he's worked to ensure his runner will be in the right head space.

"The one thing I've told him and keep reiterating to him is that he belongs here," Walls said. "When you get to these big meets like this, there's so much signage and hoopla. A lot of people get so elevated…they come up on such a high and then the gun goes off and in the race you come crashing down.

"The most important thing for him is to not get in his head about it."

Milner isn't expecting any issues, believing the emotional roller coaster he's been on throughout the past few seasons has prepared him for any scenario.

"I've definitely enjoyed the trip, not just the race," he said. "(Getting to nationals) is something I've wanted for two years. It's time to have fun now."

The NAIA Men's Cross Country Championships can be streamed here.