(ST. LOUIS, Mo., Nov. 7)--McKendree University raced to the team championship at the 2009 American Midwest Conference/Unaffiliated Meet held on Saturday (Nov. 7) at Forest Park in St. Louis.

The Bearcats held off a stiff challenge from William Woods University to win their first AMC title. Park University took third in the meet, which included teams from the Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference as well as one NAIA Independent institution, Ohio Dominican University.

McKendree freshman Carison Kemei pulled away from the field and won the eight-kilometer race by nearly two minutes. Kemei posted a winning time of 24:11.50. He was one of four Bearcat athletes that earned All-Conference honors. For his effort, Kemei was named the AMC Runner of the Year as well as the league's Freshman of the Year.

Junior Jason Rose from William Woods was selected as the AMC Newcomer of the Year. Rose took second overall with a time of 25:50.89 in Saturday's race.

For guiding McKendree to the team title, Neal West was named the AMC Coach of the Year. West is in his third season at McKendree.

In addition to McKendree's team berth, there were five individuals that earned a spot in the NAIA national field. These runners qualified based on posting the top five times for institutions that were not a part of the team qualifier. The quintet includes Jason Rose of William Woods, Emmanuel Ramirez of William Woods, Ryan Meyer of William Woods, Philiph Tonui of Hannibal-LaGrange and Joel Chirchir of Park.

For complete race results, click here. Listed below are the members of the AMC Men's Cross Country All-Conference team, as well as the Academic All-Conference recipients. Student-athletes must have a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade-point average on a 4.0 scale to earn Academic All-Conference honors. Freshman and transfers are not eligible for the award.

AMC MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM
Carison Kemei, McKendree

Jason Rose, William Woods

Elkana Kipsang, McKendree

Emmanuel Ramirez, William Woods

Ryan Meyer, William Woods
Philiph Tonui, Hannibal-LaGrange
Joel Chirchir, Park

Joshua Katam, McKendree

Michael Mendez, McKendree

Kenneth Kibii, Missouri Baptist

AMC MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY ACADEMIC ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM
Kevin Campbell, Hannibal-LaGrange
Brett Jones, Hannibal-LaGrange
Darren Hooks, McKendree
Mike Mendez, McKendree
Josh Wilhelm, McKendree
Kyle Meyer, Missouri Baptist
Zach Keller, Missouri Baptist
Joel Chirchir, Park
Micah Conkling, Park

Trey Crawford, Park
Ben Zibers, Park

Will Zibers, Park
Eric Zorn, Park
Zach Smith, Park