SALISBURY, Md. – The Navy women's cross country team officially opened their 2026 campaign on Saturday morning, competing against a regional field at the annual Salisbury Fall Classic at Winter Place Park. Freshmen Brianne Duynstee and Emily Downing finished first and second individually in their first collegiate race to lead a group of seven Mids that finished in the top 15.
 
Navy finished with a team-low 21 points, while George Mason was second with 47 points. Meet-host Salisbury was third with 67 points with Regent (125 points), District of Columbia (149), and Maryland-Eastern Shore (161) rounding out the team scoring.
 
"Today was all about discipline and execution," head coach Kim Lewnes stated after the meet. "We set out to pack up early at a specific tempo and make our move in the final 2K. While the field strung out by the two-mile mark, the intent was there across the board. Everyone executed according to their current fitness."
 
Duynstee led the Midshipmen through the 6K course, stopping the clock at 21:04.2 for a first-place finish. She was followed closely by Downing, who claimed second with a time of 21:10.5.
 
"What stood out most was our plebe class," Lewnes added. "Transitioning to college training isn't easy, but they've locked in fast, culminating in some stellar debuts today – including Bri and Emily taking the top two spots. The drive in this group is special, and seeing our upperclassmen fuel that ambition makes for an exciting season ahead."
 
Salisbury's Anna Bodmer (21:17.5) finished third and George Mason's Ailbhe Barnes (21:33.8) was fourth with four Midshipmen finishing in order from fifth to eighth. Senior Caroline Carter, competing in her first cross country event for the Mids, was fifth with a time of 21:34.2, while freshmen Lucy Myers (21:45.3) and Sam Vanderhave (21:46.0) took sixth and seventh, respectively. Junior Amelie Loomis closed out the Midshipmen in the top 10 in eighth place with a time of 21:53.9. Freshman Regan Schultz (22:23.1) rounded out the top-seven finishers for Navy, crossing the finish line in 14th in her first collegiate race.
 
Eight additional Midshipmen competed in the race, all finishing in the top half of the field. Sophomore Lorraine Goldenberg (22:32.7) and freshman Hannah O'Neill (22:38.8) crossed the finish line in order to take 16th and 17th. Junior Marianna Pizem (22:48.9) was two spots back in 19th with freshman Kenzie Phillips (22:55.9) just behind in 20th. Junior Stella Perazzini (23:07.6), freshman Sofie Brandenburg (23:16.5), sophomore Caroline Montemaro (23:23.6), and freshman Audrey Dunn (23:56.6) all finished in the top 30, placing 22nd, 25th, 27th, and 29th, respectively.
 
Navy returns to action on Saturday, Sept. 12, as the Midshipmen take part in the annual Cantello Invitational at the USNA Cross Country Course. 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.