MIDWAY, Ky. — The Midway University men's and women's cross country teams will travel to Terre Haute, Indiana, on Saturday, November 7, to compete in the 2026 River States Conference (RSC) Cross Country Championships.

Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College will host the conference championships at the LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course, with the men's 8K race scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m., followed by the women's 6K race at 11:30 a.m. All times are Eastern.

The Eagles will compete against conference opponents for team and individual honors, with opportunities to qualify for the NAIA Cross Country National Championships.

Championship Preview

Saturday's championships will take place at one of the nation's most recognized cross country venues.

The LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course has hosted numerous national championship events, including more than a dozen NCAA Division I national championships.

The course features a grass racing surface, permanent distance markers and designated spectator areas, providing a championship setting for the conference's top runners.

For Midway, the meet presents an opportunity to close out the conference portion of the 2026 season with strong individual performances and team finishes.

Women's Championship Preview

Midway's women's cross country team enters the championship after being selected fourth in the RSC Preseason Coaches' Poll.

The Eagles received 39 points in the preseason voting, finishing behind Rio Grande, IU East and IU Kokomo.

Rio Grande enters as the defending conference champion after capturing the 2025 title. The RedStorm were selected as the preseason favorites, receiving seven of the nine first-place votes.

IU East was picked second, receiving the remaining two first-place votes, while IU Kokomo rounded out the top three.

Midway will look to challenge those programs while competing for all-conference recognition and potential national championship qualification.

Men's Championship Preview

The Midway men's team will open Saturday's competition in the 8K championship race.

The Eagles will look to build on their performances throughout the fall season, which included a team win at their own meet back in September. 

Senior Carson Milner has been among Midway's notable performers this season, earning River States Conference Runner of the Week recognition following his performance at the IWU Twilight Invitational.

Milner finished as the individual runner-up in the 6K race with a time of 18:33.7, helping the Eagles secure second place in the team standings.

Saturday's conference championship will give Midway an opportunity to compete for individual honors and improve its position among the RSC field.

All-Conference Honors and National Qualification

The River States Conference will recognize the top 21 individual finishers in each championship race with All-Conference honors.

The top seven finishers will earn First Team All-Conference recognition, places eight through 14 will receive Second Team honors, and finishers 15 through 21 will be named Third Team All-Conference.

In addition to individual recognition, the conference championship will serve as a qualifying opportunity for the NAIA Cross Country National Championships.

The conference champion will receive an automatic national championship berth, while additional team and individual qualification opportunities will depend on the number of participating teams and the applicable NAIA qualification requirements.

The conference will also recognize its Newcomers of the Year, Coaches of the Year, Scholar-Athletes and Champions of Character.

Championship Schedule

Saturday, November 7 — Terre Haute, Indiana

• 10:30 a.m. ET: Men's 8K Championship

• 11:30 a.m. ET: Women's 6K Championship

• 12:45 p.m. ET: Awards Ceremony

Live timing and results will be provided by Midwest Timing, with split times available during both championship races.

Championship Information: https://smwcathletics.com/sports/2026/10/19/2026-river-states-conference-xc-championships-info.aspx

ABOUT MIDWAY UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

Midway University competes in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), and its 29 athletic teams are part of the River States Conference, Mid-South Conference, Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association and USA Archery. For more information about Midway University Athletics, please visit www.gomidwayeagles.com or contact Tyler Beck at 859-846-5366.