TERRE HAUTE, Ind. - Saturday morning, Cross Country Town, USA had a new mayor: a Red one.
The RedStorm of the University of Rio Grande repeated as River States Conference men's cross country champions, winning the 2026 RSC title Saturday morning at the LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course in Terre Haute, Indiana. The RedStorm, with eight All-Conference runners in their ranks, defeated fellow nationally-ranked program IU East by six points.
For the second straight year, Rio Grande's top runners proved to be the difference, as the RedStorm and Red Wolves were even in spots 3-5, but Rio Grande put two runners in the top three to claim the title. Ryder Crawford, who also played a major role in Rio Grande winning the title in 2025, did the same in 2026 with a first place finish. Kasy Science formed the other half of the Red Wolves' top two, finishing third overall.
Crawford continued Rio Grande's run at the top of the River States Conference leaderboard, as the junior crossed the finish line first in 25:17.0 to earn RSC Runner of the Year honors. Crawford's time was more than 17 seconds faster than his nearest competitor. The award for Newcomer of the Year, awarded to the meet's top freshman or transfer, went to St. Mary-of-the-Woods freshman Chris Boyd, who placed fifth with a time of 25:39.6. Rio Grande's Matt Paxton was honored as Coach of the Year, via a vote of his peers.
Per NAIA regulations, four additional runners not from the RSC champions will earn individual qualification to the NAIA Championships. Midway's Carson Milner will return to the national championship, and will be joined by IU East's Conner Walser, SMWC's Boyd, and IU East's Max Kline.
Should IU East, a nationally-ranked team, earn an at-large bid to the national meet, individual bids would be awarded to two IU Kokomo runners - Karter Jackson and Drew Lovelace.
Additionally, the RSC is also proud to announce the athletes recognized as their program's Champion of Character. Each team in each River States Conference sponsored sport is asked to nominate one athlete as their Champion of Character. These student-athletes best represent the NAIA’s Champions of Character program and its five core values of Respect, Responsibility, Integrity, Servant Leadership and Sportsmanship.
Rio Grande and the qualified runners advance to the NAIA Women's Cross Country National Championship, held this year at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site in Vancouver, Washington on November 20. 2026 will be the eighth time the NAIA's Cross Country Championships have been contested in Vancouver.
2026 River States Conference Men's Cross Country Awards
RSC Runner of the Year: Ryder Crawford, Rio Grande
RSC Newcomer of the Year: Chris Boyd, SMWC
RSC Coach of the Year: Matt Paxton, Rio Grande
FIRST TEAM ALL-CONFERENCE
Ryder Crawford, Rio Grande
Carson Milner, Midway
Kasy Science, Rio Grande
Conner Walser, IU East
Chris Boyd, SMWC
Max Kline, IU East
Andre Chandler, Rio Grande
SECOND TEAM ALL-CONFERENCE
Axton Fosnaugh, IU East
Ludvig Hoeglund, Rio Grande
Thomas Hogan, IU East
Hunter Allen, IU East
Karter Jackson, IU Kokomo
Micah Balsmeyer, Rio Grande
Drew Lovelace, IU Kokomo
THIRD TEAM ALL-CONFERENCE
William Watson, IU East
Gabe Reynolds, IU East
Akot Tong, IU East
Steven Case, IU Kokomo
Ashton Beverly, Rio Grande
Gavin Offenberger, Rio Grande
Andrew Perry, Rio Grande
CHAMPIONS OF CHARACTER
Owen Halcomb, Brescia
Chance Knapp, IU Columbus
Axton Fosnaugh, IU East
Aden Pierce, IU Kokomo
Zechariah Hunter, Kentucky Christian
Jesse Madden, Midway
Jack Nesbit, Rio Grande
Chris Boyd, SMWC
Evan McElwayne, WVU Tech