Sept. 17, 2009

College Park, Md. - In Maryland's Cross Country season opener, Alex Lundy earned ACC honors by being named the Atlantic Coast Conference Men's Cross Country Performer of the Week. A junior from Littleton, Colo., Lundy opened Maryland's 2009 season with a first place finish at the UMES Lid-Lifter by covering the 8K course in 26:02.5.

Lundy's performance and third ACC weekly honor in two seasons, is not shocking to all who have watched him break out as one of Coach Andrew Valmon's top performers.

Last year he earned the honor of being the first Terrapin runner to compete at the NCAA Cross Country Nationals in recent memory, finishing in 125th place (31:04.9 over the 10K) among an elite field of more than 250 runners at the 2008 NCAA Division I Men's Cross Country Championships.

In his third season as a Terp on the Cross Country team, the junior has assumed the role of team captain, a position shared with fellow teammate Greg Kelsey. "Right now we have a pretty solid 1-2 punch with Alex and Greg," said Coach Valmon, in his sixth season as cross country head coach.

"We selected the captains before the season began and thought these would be the two guys to lead us, and that's what we have."

When asked of his responsibility as a designated leader and captain Lundy proclaims sincere appreciation.

"It was a great honor to be named as one of the captains, along with Greg to help provide leadership for this team," said Lundy. "I have learned a lot about leadership from him."

The Heritage High School alum ran all six events last season and was the first Terp over the line placing tenth overall at the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional with an impressive10K clocking of 32:22. He placed 23rd at the ACC Championships with a time of 25:14.7 in the 8K.

"I look to bring leadership with my actions by doing all of the little things that bring about success," Lundy said. "I think that this helps to bring the guys on the same page, which is absolutely necessary in a sport where trust in your teammates is so vital."

Last season, the Terps' distance coach, Terry Weir described Alex as "a bright and humble kid" who always maintains an optimistic approach.

"But under all that Mr. Nice Guy stuff, Alex has a nasty competitive instinct," said Weir. "Once the gun goes off, he is tough as nails and is not afraid to push his body - or someone he's competing against for that matter - to places they haven't been before."

In addition to continuing his individual success, Lundy, along with his teammates and coaches are looking to improve their 6th place ACC finish last season and are ultimately striving to make their presence known at NCAA nationals.

Although the Colorado native has exhibited exemplary leadership and individual success on the track, he values and attributes his success to all those around him.

"The guys, girls, and coaches on the team are my family because I am around them all the time," Lundy said, "It is a wonderful feeling to know that you have the support of 70 plus people, all of them pulling for you to succeed."

As a walk-on athlete only running two events for Maryland in his first season, Alex Lundy has taken the Cross Country program to a new plateau through his leadership, positive attitude and determination.

"I attribute my success entirely to my teammates and coaches. My coaches have directed me for the past two years, I have just blindly followed," said Lundy. "Coach Valmon, Coach Dunham, Coach McMahon, and Coach Weir have given me the opportunity to be a Division 1 athlete."

As described by Coach Valmon, "He's the guy that leads by example. What we have is a model that people want to emulate because he gets the job done not only on the playing field but also in the classroom."

Led by Alex Lundy and Co-captain Greg Kelsey, the Terps look to repeat their first place victory on Sept. 18 at the Wolfpack Invitational in Cary, N.C.