Since Navy head coach Al Cantello's arrival at the Naval Academy 45 years ago, the Midshipmen have been one of the most consistent men's cross country programs, both regionally and nationally.

With a 237-68-1 career record in 39 seasons, Cantello has coached several standout runners during his years in Annapolis. Jon Clemens received All-America honors during the 1996 cross country season, while John Mentzer was named a 1997 All-American in both indoor (5,000 meters) and outdoor (10,000 meters) track. Michael Ryan earned similar honors during the 1999 indoor track season for his 4:01.57 time in the mile, and Erik Schmidt took fifth place in the mile at the NCAA Indoor Championship in March 2003.

In addition, two of Navy's distance relay teams were ranked among the nation's top 15 during the 1999 outdoor campaign. The mile relay team of Eric Adams, John McNamara, Ryan Runge and Ryan was fourth in the nation, while the distance medley relay team of Adams, Torrance Chaplin, Karlton Holston and Ryan was nationally ranked, as well.

Last year's team finished in third place at the Patriot League Championship and claimed 11th at the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional Championship. As a result of his teams' success, Cantello has been amply recognized, including being named the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional Coach of the Year three times (1984, '85 and '92). In 1997, the Naval Academy Alumni Association awarded Cantello the Distinguished Athletic Leadership Award for a coach or faculty member who did the most for the physical development of the Midshipmen in physical education. Cantello also received the inaugural Tom Hamilton Teaching/Coaching Award, as voted by his peers that same year.

From 1981-88, Cantello held a dual coaching role, guiding Navy's men's indoor and outdoor track squads while maintaining his cross country duties. As Navy's head track coach, Cantello led the Mids to a 67-9-1 dual meet record. During the 1986-87 academic year, his combined record in cross country, indoor and outdoor track was a remarkable 23-1.

Cantello's all-time head coaching record in cross country, indoor and outdoor track is 304-77-2, good for a .796 career winning percentage. Among his victories are 40 N-Stars, including 29 as the head coach of the cross country program - more than any other Navy mentor in one sport.

Cantello has authored the Mids to a 30-8-1 mark against Army, prior to which Navy held a 12-19 record against the Black Knights.

A 1955 graduate of La Salle, Cantello was a two-time All-American in the javelin throw. He was enshrined as a charter member of La Salle's Hall of Athletes in 1961.

A former world-class competitor in the javelin, Cantello once held every national and international record in the event. In 1959, he set a world record in the javelin and competed for the U.S. Olympic Team the following year in the 1960 Games in Rome. In 1964, Sport magazine named Cantello to its all-time track & field team and voted him the world's greatest competitor in the javelin.

Cantello and his wife, Jackie, are the parents of three adult children - Karla McMahon (46), Albert Jr. (44) and Karen O'Kane (41) - and seven grandchildren.