LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- The University of Rio Grande men's cross country team made an impressive debut in 2009, capturing the Mid-South Conference Championships today at E.P. Tom Sawyer Park.

Rio Grande's Bryce Wilson made it a Rio sweep earning MSC Runner of the Year honors with his individual win.

Four RedStorm harriers finished in the top 10 as Rio finished with 25 team points, 27 points ahead of its nearest competitor. University of the Cumberlands finished second with 52 points and Georgetown College ended in third with 72 points.

Campbellsville University (94 points), Lindsey Wilson College (124) and Pikeville College (181) rounds out the six-team field.

With the win, Rio Grande earns the Mid-South Conference's automatic bid to the 53rd Men's NAIA Cross Country National Championships in Vancouver, Wash.

Wilson, a sophomore from Jackson, Ohio, ran the 8,000 meter course in a time of 25 minutes and 48 seconds. He beat teammate Nick Wilson by eight seconds.

For their finishes, Bryce Wilson and Nick Wilson earn All Mid-South Conference honors reserved for the top-10 finishers at the MSC Championships.

Joining the Wilson pair on the all-conference team are Campbellsville's Geovanni Popoca, Cumberlands' Josh Laughlin and Aundreas Lopez, Georgetown's Grant Curran and Lucas Garnett and Rio Grande's Nathan Mogle, Matt Spencer and Joe Taranto.

Laughlin leads the group of five individuals not on the winning team to advance to nationals. Laughlin finished third in the race followed by Lopez (5th), Garnett (6th), Curran (7th) and Popoca (9th), who all qualify.

Following today's race at the cross country banquet, eight harriers were recognized as Academic All Mid-South Conference. The distinction is reserved for student-athletes with a sophomore or higher class ranking and a 3.25 and above grade point average.

Click here for meet results