Head Coach: Â Kim Lewnes lewnes@usna.edu 410-293-5579
https://navysports.com/sports/womens-cross-country/roster/coaches/kim-lewnes/2034
Can you give us a brief description of your program and some of the highlights from the past few years?
The United States Naval Academy is a Division I Track & Field / Cross Country program. We are the defending Patriot League Track & Field Champions (they have subsequently defended that title in 2021). I’m in my third year as the women’s cross country head coach and my fifth year at Navy. In my biased opinion, the Naval Academy is the best service academy! Annapolis is a beautiful city, academics are top notch and the midshipmen are remarkable. I feel very fortunate to be leading such a special group of future Navy and Marine Corp officers. Spring 2020 through the following spring of 2021 was hard for us all in different ways. I am so grateful to be back to normal competitions this fall, so beating Army in the 2021 XC dual meet was a major victory and we are focused on what is ahead.
What goals do you have for your program either for this year or in the future?
We just Beat Army, so next up is to win the Patriot League! We are aiming to reach new heights within the Mid-Atlantic Region. We also have our sights set on competing at the NCAA Championship in the future!Â
I work with a very motivated group of women. They strive to excel in the classroom, on the track/cross country course, and as people. I appreciate USNA’s focus on the mental, moral and physical development of these midshipmen as I also take a holistic approach to coaching. I am grateful to the incredible mentors I have had as a student-athlete and now as a coach, as they were invested in my growth as a whole person. I hope to have such a positive impact on my student-athletes during their four years in Annapolis.
What does a typical training week/cycle look like during cross country season? How rigorous is the schedule for a typical athlete at Navy, in particular for a plebe?
A part of the Naval Academy’s mission is to prepare midshipmen physically to become professional Navy and Marine Corps officers. Luckily cross country / track & field training lend themselves well to keeping our student-athletes fit. Our sport also attracts very bright individuals, so I have a team full of true scholars. A typical day for a student-athlete could look like this…Â
Morning shake out
Breakfast
Classes: Calc, English, and Government
Lunch
Team Lift
Classes: Chem, Cyber Security
Sports period
Dinner
Study Period
Our practice schedule varies from week to week but on competition weeks we have a big workout, recovery day, lighter workout, premeet, race, long run. If we aren’t competing then we will have another workout day added to the mix. We also strength train 2-3 x weekly.Â
Do you have a certain team philosophy? How do you manage individual goals and team goals?
We have a lot of fun as a team and we expect to win! The women prioritize team goals above their individual aspirations. Most people view XC as an individual sport, but the focus is all team here. We certainly have individuals who want to win our annual Army dual or be a Patriot League Champ, but mainly because that individual goal supports the overall team goal of winning.Â
The women support one another not just in our sport, but also in the classroom, career, and personal development. It is a very inspiring group of young people to be around. Practice is the best part of my “work” day and it’s definitely the best part of my midshipmen’s school day. USNA is a structured institution and I am pretty organized myself, but our practices are when the women can literally let their hair down. We have a great thing going here and I attribute our positive culture to our team’s captain and upperclassmen.
What facilities or resources does your program have that might set you apart from other colleges?
The Wesley A. Brown Field House is a 140,000-square-foot athletic facility that houses our Mondo indoor track with hydraulically controlled banked curves. Our field house also has a weight training facility, sports medicine room, equipment areas, locker rooms, coaches offices, and a study space. The all-weather MONDO track is the site of Navy’s outdoor track and field meets. Our Cross Country course is less than 3 miles from the yard or across the Severn River on the Naval Academy Golf Course. During the cross country season, we also take busses to parks in the Annapolis/DC/Baltimore area for more variable terrain. Â
What recommendations do you give to someone interested in running for your program at Navy?
If you are interested in running for Navy, fill out our recruiting questionnaire, send email updates, and visit campus. I can communicate with prospective student-athletes after June 15th of an individual’s sophomore year. The Naval Academy’s admissions website has all the steps to our unique application process. Admissions also offers STEM camp and summer seminar while our Athletic Department is excited to get back to hosting normal summer camps this year.
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