RIO GRANDE, Ohio -- The Lindsey Wilson College men's cross country team finished fifth today at the Mid-South Conference Championships hosted by Rio Grande (Ohio).

John-Paul Williamson earned a berth into the NAIA National Championships with his third place finish today. The top five finishers not on the winning team receive an invitation to the national championships.

The Blue Raider men scored 145 team points in the 8,000-meter event.

Williamson was the first Blue Raider to cross the finish line with a time of 26 minutes and 15 seconds.

Shawnee State's Brad Liston captured the individual title by breaking the tape in 25:43.

Lindsey Wilson's Garry Korir ended 27th in the 98-man field with a time of 28:31. Cody Hymer and Austin Childress finished 50th and 52nd respectively with times of 29:56 and 30:00.

Shawnee State captured the team title with 28 team points. Four Bear harriers finished in the top seven spots.

Williamson advances to the national championships on Saturday, Nov. 23 at Rim Rock Farm in Lawrence, Kansas.