ANNAPOLIS, Md. - On Friday night, October 19, the Naval Academy Athletic Association had the honor of recognizing the career and contributions of Al Cantello with a dinner party filled with family, former student-athletes and a multitude of distinguished guests. A 55-year member of the coaching staff at the Academy, including the last 50 as head coach of the men's cross country team (1968-2017), Cantello retired this past August from Navy. During his career working with Midshipmen athletes, Cantello collected 49 N-Star victories over Army as the head coach of the cross country and for a period of time in the 1980's as the head coach of the track and field program. Navy won eight Patriot League and four Heptagonal Championship titles and competed at 12 NCAA Championship meets with Cantello at the helm.

Leading up to the event, a host of alumni spoke with Navy Athletics about the effect that Coach Cantello had on their life as a student-athlete, a Midshipmen, an officer and after. Featured in this piece are comments from Steve Schroeder (Class of 2016), Aaron Lanzel (Class of 2003), Luis Molina (Class of 1993), Todd Washburn (Class of 1993), Ronnie Harris (Class of 1987) and Nick Lakis, (Class of 1972).