ANNAPOLIS, Md. – The Navy cross country teams begin the 2026 season at the Salisbury Fall Classic at Winter Place Park in Salisbury, Md. Competition begins at 9:30 a.m. with the women's 6K, while the men's 8K will follow at 10:30 a.m.
 
Meet Participants
Navy, Anne Arundel Community College, George Mason, Maryland-Eastern Shore, Regent, University of DC, and Salisbury
 
Team Captains
Head coaches Aaron Lanzel and Kim Lewnes officially announced that Logan Flament and Susie Heinz have been selected as team captains for the 2026 Navy cross country season.
 
Flament has competed in 15 events over his first three seasons, earning Second Team All-Patriot League distinction as a junior last season. During his time at the Academy, he has solidified his position as one of Navy's top runners, finishing as one of the Mids' top-seven counters in four of his last five competitions, including the Star Meet, Patriot League Championship, and NCAA Regional last season.
 
Heinz has competed in 10 competitions in her three-year Navy career, including six competitions in 2025. Last season, she finished in the top-seven counters among Midshipmen runners in four competitions that she competed in, which included the Patriot League Championship and the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional.

Navy Sports Magazine
In preparation for the 2026 season, women's cross country senior Lexi Ensor and men's cross country junior James Partlow joined Tim Nolan on the Navy Sports Magazine. Ensor Interview | Partlow Interview
 
Season in Review – WOMEN
The women's team finished third at the 2025 Patriot League Championship at the Goodman Family Cross Country Course in Bethlehem, Pa. Jane Phillips and Lexi Ensor led the Midshipmen in the 6K event to earn Second Team All-Conference distinction. Phillips led the way for the Midshipmen, finishing ninth overall to earn All-Patriot League honors for the first time in her young career. Ensor was three spots back in 12th place to claim her all-conference honors.
 
Navy capped off its season with a 12th-place finish in the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional. Senior team captain Sophie Compton was the Midshipmen's top finisher with a time of 21:19.3 in the 6K race, which was hosted by Lehigh.
 
In the class room, the women's cross country team was recognized with the USTFCCCA All-Academic team award. Additionally, nineteen (19) Mids were recognized on the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll, including six student-athletes, who posted a 3.9 or higher GPA in the fall semester – Constance Goldenberg, Amelie Loomis, Brianna Newell, Reilly Nussbaum, Madeline Palmisciano, and Samantha Woodworth.
 
Season in Review – MEN
The 2025 men's team enjoyed a highly successful campaign highlighted by their fifth consecutive Patriot League Championship team title. Led by Justin Mumford's first-place finish, the Midshipmen placed five runners in the top 10 to score a team-low 28 points and win the event by 30 points. This victory marked Navy's 13th league title, giving them the most cross country championships in Patriot League history. Mumford was named the Patriot League Men's Outstanding Performer of the Meet, while Luke Bowlsby earned Rookie of the Meet honors as the top-finishing freshman. Additionally, head coach Aaron Lanzel was tabbed Coach of the Year for the fifth consecutive season. 
 
Beyond the conference championship, the Midshipmen claimed a 26-29 victory over Army in the annual Star Meet at West Point. Mumford won individual medalist honors by nearly 20 seconds, while teammates like James Partlow and Logan Flament made crucial passes in the final 700 meters to secure the overall team win. At the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional Championship, Navy finished fifth overall out of 28 competing teams. Mumford placed third to individually qualify for the NCAA Championship, and Jackson Nguyen and Matt Newell joined him in earning USTFCCCA All-Mid-Atlantic Region honors for finishing in the top 25. Mumford concluded his competitive season at the NCAA Cross Country Championship in Columbia, Missouri.
 
The team also garnered significant post-season recognition for both their athletic and academic success. Joining Mumford on the First-Team All-Patriot League were Dane Eike and Partlow, while Max Girardet and Flament earned second-team honors. In the classroom, Mumford was selected as the Patriot League Men's Cross Country Scholar-Athlete of the Year, marking the 11th time in program history a Navy runner has claimed the award, and he was named to the All-Academic Team alongside Flament. Finally, Mumford was recognized as a USTFCCCA All-Academic Athlete, and the entire Navy men's cross country program was awarded the USTFCCCA All-Academic team award.
 
Up Next
Following the Salisbury Fall Classic, the Midshipmen will host the Cantello Invitational at the USNA Cross Country Course on Saturday, Sept. 12. The meet opens with an open 5K at 9:00 a.m. before the women's 6K at 9:45 a.m. and the men's 4.9-mile run at 10:30 a.m.