WEST POINT, N.Y. – Senior Justin Mumford led for a majority of America's Meet, earning individual medalist honors and leading Navy men's cross country to a 26-29 victory over Army in the annual Star Meet, which is part of the overall Army-Navy Star Series, presented by USAA on Saturday morning at the West Point Golf Course in West Point, N.Y.
At the 3K mark of the 8K race, Mumford took the lead position and never looked back as the senior won by nearly 20 seconds (17.2).
Navy was in the lead through the 3K, holding a 22-33 advantage. Army took a 27-28 lead midway through the race. Through 5500m, the Black Knights increased their advantage to 24-31. The hosts increased their lead to nine, 23-32, at the 6400m checkpoint, but Navy closed the gap to one, 27-28, with 700m remaining. The Midshipmen were able to retake the lead as a team in the final 700m to claim the 26-29 win.
Mumford finished the race in first place with a time of 23:18.5. The senior was in fourth place through the first 1500m, but just 0.3 second back of first. Mumford made his move into the lead prior to the 3K checkpoint, moving into first by seven seconds. He pushed the lead to 14 seconds through 3950m and 20 seconds through the 5500m checkpoint. Mumford continued to lead through the final 3500m ultimately winning by 17.2 seconds.