BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Justin Mumford, who graduated from the United States Naval Academy in May, was voted the 2026 Patriot League Men's Scholar-Athlete of the Year the conference office announced on Wednesday afternoon. Voting for the honor was conducted by the athletics communications staff from each of the League's member institutions.
 
Mumford claimed 2025 Patriot League Men's Cross Country and 2026 Men's Outdoor Track and Field Scholar-Athlete of the Year honors. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy with Distinction, earning his bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering with a cumulative GPA of 3.95.
 
Athletically, Mumford claimed the 2025 Patriot League Men's Cross Country individual title and also won the 10,000 meters and 5,000 meters at the 2026 Patriot League Outdoor Track and Field Championships.
 
"Justin graduates from the Academy as one of the greatest winners in USNA history," Navy Director of Track and Field/Cross Country Jamie Cook said. "He was a multiple-time individual conference champion, NCAA qualifier, and perfect in his team record against Army and vs. the Patriot League."
 
"He is one of the most tenacious competitors we have ever had in the T&F/XC country program," Cook continued. "He was equally impressive in the classroom and deserves all the accolades that have come his way. Justin is a fantastic representative of our program: A tireless worker, a selfless teammate, and a true leader who strives for greatness in all aspects of his life. Everyone within the athletic department is proud to see him recognized as the Patriot League Scholar Athlete of the Year."
 
"Justin has outworked and overperformed since he joined our team four years ago," said Men's Cross Country Head Coach Aaron Lanzel. "I'm very glad the Naval Academy could provide him not just the opportunity to excel at a national level in athletics, but also in his other lofty professional aspirations in the future. He has certainly earned everything he achieved through hard work, day in and day out. Being patient was not always his strongest suit, but that is not a bad tendency when you win by being the first to the finish. Justin was one of the best at being able to punish himself beyond what his opponents could handle, and his gritty performances have left a lasting impact on the future of our program."
 
Mumford is the ninth Navy men's student-athlete to receive the prestigious honor, joining Toby Moore (baseball, 1995), Billy Hurley (golf, 2024), Trevor Thompson (baseball, 2005), Chris Renninger (golf, 2007), Nick Birger (tennis, 2011), Tom Buffone (track & field, 2015), Ryan Bailey (swimming & diving, 2017), and Micah Oh (swimming & diving, 2021).
 
Additionally, Mumford is the 18th Navy student-athlete overall to win the award – the most in the Patriot League.
 
Student-athletes eligible for the Patriot League Scholar-Athlete of the Year must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.20 and be a starter or key player in their sport. Freshmen or student-athletes in their first academic year at their respective institutions are not eligible for this honor.
 
The Patriot League Men's and Women's Scholar-Athletes of the Year are presented annually. The Patriot League Women's Scholar-Athlete of the Year was announced on Tuesday, June 23. The candidates for these honors are comprised of student-athletes selected as the scholar-athlete of the year in their respective sports. For the 2025-26 academic year, there were 22 different candidates from 24 Patriot League sports.
 
Each sport-specific Patriot League Scholar-Athlete of the Year award winner was eligible to collect the end-of-the-year honor. The 2025-26 men's field included Austin Benigni (Navy men's basketball), James Conway (Fordham football), Troy Elgersma (American men's soccer), Zach Hayashi (Navy men's lacrosse), Ben Irwin (Navy men's swimming and diving), Hadley Maxwell (Bucknell baseball), Eli Spaulding (Loyola men's golf), Amar Tahirovic (Bucknell men's tennis) and Karsen Vesty (Boston University men's cross country/track and field).
 
 
2025-26 Patriot League Men's Scholar-Athlete of the Year
Justin Mumford, Navy, Sr., Men's Cross Country/Track & Field, New Baden, Ill./Wesclin Senior
* A six-time Academic All-Patriot League honoree, Mumford graduated with Distinction in aerospace engineering (3.95 GPA) and ranked 66th in the Academic Order of Merit.
* Mumford won four individual Patriot League titles, winning the 2025 cross country individual crown, the 10,000 meters in 2024 and 2026 and the 5,000 meters in 2026.
* He set a Patriot League Outdoor Track and Field Championship record in the 10,000 meters (29:26.91).
* He was a five-time Superintendent's List, seven-time Commandant's List and three-time Dean's List honoree, while receiving All-Academic honors from the USTFCCCA twice.