Army West Point Athletics
Knight, Macune, Lewis, and Haynia Named October Scholar-Athletes of the Month by Center for Enhanced Performance
October 29, 2025 | General, Men's Cross Country, Men's Rugby, Women's Cross Country, Women's Rugby
WEST POINT, N.Y. – The Army West Point Athletics Association's Academic Support team has selected its scholar-athletes for the month of October, recognizing men's rugby's Joey Knight, women's rugby's Grace Macune, women's cross country's Clare Lewis, and men's cross country's Max Haynia.
Joey Knight '26 (Men's Rugby)
Cadet Robert "Joey" Knight is a standout member of the Army men's rugby team from Wellesley, Massachusetts, and exemplifies the true essence of a Scholar-Athlete-Warrior. Joey demonstrates exceptional academic excellence through his research and coursework as an Operations Research major, maintaining an impressive 3.905 GPA while balancing the demands of Division I athletics.
Joey's academic talents have been recognized by multiple faculty members across disciplines. His research advisor, Dr. Rachel Gidaro, notes that "Joey is an excellent student. I've worked with him on research for two semesters and taught him in Mathematical Statistics, one of the most challenging courses for Applied Statistics and Data Sciences and Operations Research majors. He excelled in the class and consistently went above and beyond in his research." This commitment to academic excellence extends beyond mathematics, as his history instructor, CPT Darian Abenes, observes that "Cadet Knight has consistently distinguished himself through his intellectual engagement, thoughtful contributions, and commitment to collaborative learning." CPT Abenes further highlights Joey's leadership in the classroom, noting that "he actively enriches large group discussions by asking relevant and probing questions" and "provides guidance to peers who may be struggling to fully grasp the material."
On the rugby pitch, Joey embodies the warrior spirit through his exemplary commitment and leadership. Head Coach Matt Sherman describes Joey as "an exemplar of one of our program's core values — Commitment — in every aspect of his life at West Point." Coach Sherman emphasizes that "Joey approaches every training session, meeting, and team interaction with purpose and discipline. His commitment to his teammates and to our collective goals sets a powerful example for others to follow." This dedication has contributed significantly to building a "positive, improving, and winning culture" within Army Rugby. His teammates echo this sentiment, with team captain Cadet Andrew Bardak noting that Joey's "personality and humor have become a cornerstone of the culture" while being "extremely dependable" and "a force on the field who consistently does his job exceptionally well."
Joey applies the same level of focus and effort to all aspects of his cadet experience, demonstrating the discipline and dedication required of future Army officers. His behavior serves as a model for his peers, demonstrating how commitment to personal growth and team success can elevate everyone around him. As Coach Sherman concludes, "His consistent commitment to personal growth and team success embodies the ideals of the Scholar–Athlete–Warrior, and I can think of no one more deserving of this recognition."
Cadet Joey Knight represents the highest standards of West Point through his academic excellence, athletic commitment, and warrior spirit. His balanced excellence across all domains and his positive influence on everyone around him exemplifies the Scholar-Athlete-Warrior ideal.
Grace Macune '26 (Women's Rugby)
Cadet Grace Macune, a First Class Cadet and starting player on the Army women's rugby team, exemplifies the standard of excellence across all four pillars of West Point. Penny Anderson Head Coach Jenn Salomon-Clayton describes her as "extremely hardworking and fearless," a fitting reflection of how Grace approaches every challenge—with composure, intensity, and humility. She brings calm leadership and a sense of confidence to the field, elevating the performance of everyone around her.
As a wing and fullback—two of the most dynamic and demanding positions—Grace is both fast and tactically sharp. Her speed and awareness make her a constant threat on the attack, while her physicality anchors the team's defense. Midway through the season, she has already recorded 15 tackles and one try—an impressive record given the level of competition and her dual role in the back line.
Off the field, Grace is equally impactful. As the team's Cadet Academic Officer, she has taken ownership of creating a culture of academic excellence and accountability. She established a peer tutoring system that provides targeted academic support to teammates, analyzed team-wide academic trends to identify at-risk cadets, and proactively communicated high-stress academic periods to help her teammates plan and manage their time effectively. Her efforts have directly contributed to the team's strong academic standing this semester. She is the first to volunteer when others need help—always placing the success of the team above her own interests.
Academically, Grace has maintained a 3.66 cumulative GPA while balancing the demands of a Division I athletic schedule and a challenging course load. Her military performance score of 3.368 further underscores her consistency and commitment across all pillars. Whether in the classroom, in the barracks, or on the rugby pitch, Grace embodies the values of discipline, teamwork, and intellectual curiosity that define a true scholar-athlete.
In every respect, Cadet Grace Macune sets the standard for excellence. She is respected by her peers, trusted by her coaches, and admired by her teammates for her quiet professionalism and relentless drive. Her leadership and example will leave a lasting mark on the Women's Rugby program and on West Point as a whole.
Clare Lewis '26 (Women's Cross Country)
Cadet Claire Lewis, a Firstie and team captain of the Army West Point women's cross country team, exemplifies excellence across all pillars of the West Point experience — academic, athletic, military, and character.
Coach Mike Smith, Director of Track & Field/Cross Country, describes her as someone who "exemplifies the grit, discipline, and team-first mentality that define Army West Point Track & Field/Cross Country." Her recent accomplishments are a testament to that: Claire earned a first-place finish in the 3000m steeplechase at the 2025 Patriot League Outdoor Championships and was the second Army finisher at the Paul Short Invitational with a time of 20:58 — placing her ninth on the Army all-time list for that course.
Claire has been a key contributor to two consecutive Patriot League championship teams and three consecutive Star Meet victories in women's cross country. Most recently, on October 19, she captained a team that achieved the lowest possible score in the dual meet, sweeping the top six places — a rare and remarkable feat.
Her leadership extends far beyond the track. Academically, Claire is majoring in Chemical Engineering with a minor in Terrorism Studies, maintaining a 4.096 cumulative GPA and ranking 30th in her class. She has participated in two AIADs — Projects Abroad in Nepal and Women and War in Bosnia and Herzegovina — demonstrating her intellectual curiosity and global perspective. She is an active member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers Club and is a consistent Dean's List honoree.
Claire also serves as the Varsity Athletics Officer for 1st Regiment, a role in which she was hand-selected by leaders from BTD, AWPAA, and other directorates. In this capacity, she advocates for cadet-athletes across the Corps, bridging communication between athletic and academic leadership. In addition, she was selected and entrusted to serve as the regimental S6 (commo officer).
Her peers, instructors, leadership, and teammates consistently describe her as a competent, confident leader who continuously inspires those around her. Claire Lewis will leave a lasting legacy on the Women's Distance Team and the broader Army track & field and cross country programs.
Max Haynia '27 (Men's Cross Country)
Cadet Maximus Haynia, class of 2027, is a key member of the Army West Point men's cross country team and outstanding athlete who also demonstrates excellence in the academic, military, and character development programs at USMA. Max is a Systems Engineering Major with a Cumulative GPA of 3.6, who is very interested in studying the Aerospace field from the System's perspective as he considers capstone projects and individual research opportunities coming up. He identifies MC300 Fundamentals of Engineering Mechanics and Design as his favorite class, which is right in line with his ambitions to branch Engineers as an officer.
Max posted a personal best time of 23:40.6 finishing fifth overall and as Army's third finisher in the 2025 Army-Navy Star Meet 8k. His team's effort resulted in the narrowest margin of victory for the Midshipmen since 2019. Last year, he was also a key member contributing to his team's runner-up finish at the 2024 Patriot League championship meet. In this year's season opener, the Paul Short Invitational, Max was Army West Point's fifth runner across the line.
Max has taken on a leadership role with the young men's cross country team. He is very knowledgeable about running and consistently mentors younger Cadets on the team. His classroom knowledge directly supports the track & field and cross country teams. Max develops race plans and recovery strategies, which he shares with the team. He acts as a beacon of optimism during tough workouts and races, uplifting everyone around him even in challenging circumstances. Recently, Max has been dealing with injuries but has demonstrated true leadership and discipline by continuing to cross-train and stay fit despite his injury. In his first race after healing, he finished in the top five on the team. Max is a genuine cadet-athlete who leads from the front regardless of the situation.
Joey Knight '26 (Men's Rugby)
Cadet Robert "Joey" Knight is a standout member of the Army men's rugby team from Wellesley, Massachusetts, and exemplifies the true essence of a Scholar-Athlete-Warrior. Joey demonstrates exceptional academic excellence through his research and coursework as an Operations Research major, maintaining an impressive 3.905 GPA while balancing the demands of Division I athletics.
Joey's academic talents have been recognized by multiple faculty members across disciplines. His research advisor, Dr. Rachel Gidaro, notes that "Joey is an excellent student. I've worked with him on research for two semesters and taught him in Mathematical Statistics, one of the most challenging courses for Applied Statistics and Data Sciences and Operations Research majors. He excelled in the class and consistently went above and beyond in his research." This commitment to academic excellence extends beyond mathematics, as his history instructor, CPT Darian Abenes, observes that "Cadet Knight has consistently distinguished himself through his intellectual engagement, thoughtful contributions, and commitment to collaborative learning." CPT Abenes further highlights Joey's leadership in the classroom, noting that "he actively enriches large group discussions by asking relevant and probing questions" and "provides guidance to peers who may be struggling to fully grasp the material."
On the rugby pitch, Joey embodies the warrior spirit through his exemplary commitment and leadership. Head Coach Matt Sherman describes Joey as "an exemplar of one of our program's core values — Commitment — in every aspect of his life at West Point." Coach Sherman emphasizes that "Joey approaches every training session, meeting, and team interaction with purpose and discipline. His commitment to his teammates and to our collective goals sets a powerful example for others to follow." This dedication has contributed significantly to building a "positive, improving, and winning culture" within Army Rugby. His teammates echo this sentiment, with team captain Cadet Andrew Bardak noting that Joey's "personality and humor have become a cornerstone of the culture" while being "extremely dependable" and "a force on the field who consistently does his job exceptionally well."
Joey applies the same level of focus and effort to all aspects of his cadet experience, demonstrating the discipline and dedication required of future Army officers. His behavior serves as a model for his peers, demonstrating how commitment to personal growth and team success can elevate everyone around him. As Coach Sherman concludes, "His consistent commitment to personal growth and team success embodies the ideals of the Scholar–Athlete–Warrior, and I can think of no one more deserving of this recognition."
Cadet Joey Knight represents the highest standards of West Point through his academic excellence, athletic commitment, and warrior spirit. His balanced excellence across all domains and his positive influence on everyone around him exemplifies the Scholar-Athlete-Warrior ideal.
Grace Macune '26 (Women's Rugby)
Cadet Grace Macune, a First Class Cadet and starting player on the Army women's rugby team, exemplifies the standard of excellence across all four pillars of West Point. Penny Anderson Head Coach Jenn Salomon-Clayton describes her as "extremely hardworking and fearless," a fitting reflection of how Grace approaches every challenge—with composure, intensity, and humility. She brings calm leadership and a sense of confidence to the field, elevating the performance of everyone around her.
As a wing and fullback—two of the most dynamic and demanding positions—Grace is both fast and tactically sharp. Her speed and awareness make her a constant threat on the attack, while her physicality anchors the team's defense. Midway through the season, she has already recorded 15 tackles and one try—an impressive record given the level of competition and her dual role in the back line.
Off the field, Grace is equally impactful. As the team's Cadet Academic Officer, she has taken ownership of creating a culture of academic excellence and accountability. She established a peer tutoring system that provides targeted academic support to teammates, analyzed team-wide academic trends to identify at-risk cadets, and proactively communicated high-stress academic periods to help her teammates plan and manage their time effectively. Her efforts have directly contributed to the team's strong academic standing this semester. She is the first to volunteer when others need help—always placing the success of the team above her own interests.
Academically, Grace has maintained a 3.66 cumulative GPA while balancing the demands of a Division I athletic schedule and a challenging course load. Her military performance score of 3.368 further underscores her consistency and commitment across all pillars. Whether in the classroom, in the barracks, or on the rugby pitch, Grace embodies the values of discipline, teamwork, and intellectual curiosity that define a true scholar-athlete.
In every respect, Cadet Grace Macune sets the standard for excellence. She is respected by her peers, trusted by her coaches, and admired by her teammates for her quiet professionalism and relentless drive. Her leadership and example will leave a lasting mark on the Women's Rugby program and on West Point as a whole.
Clare Lewis '26 (Women's Cross Country)
Cadet Claire Lewis, a Firstie and team captain of the Army West Point women's cross country team, exemplifies excellence across all pillars of the West Point experience — academic, athletic, military, and character.
Coach Mike Smith, Director of Track & Field/Cross Country, describes her as someone who "exemplifies the grit, discipline, and team-first mentality that define Army West Point Track & Field/Cross Country." Her recent accomplishments are a testament to that: Claire earned a first-place finish in the 3000m steeplechase at the 2025 Patriot League Outdoor Championships and was the second Army finisher at the Paul Short Invitational with a time of 20:58 — placing her ninth on the Army all-time list for that course.
Claire has been a key contributor to two consecutive Patriot League championship teams and three consecutive Star Meet victories in women's cross country. Most recently, on October 19, she captained a team that achieved the lowest possible score in the dual meet, sweeping the top six places — a rare and remarkable feat.
Her leadership extends far beyond the track. Academically, Claire is majoring in Chemical Engineering with a minor in Terrorism Studies, maintaining a 4.096 cumulative GPA and ranking 30th in her class. She has participated in two AIADs — Projects Abroad in Nepal and Women and War in Bosnia and Herzegovina — demonstrating her intellectual curiosity and global perspective. She is an active member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers Club and is a consistent Dean's List honoree.
Claire also serves as the Varsity Athletics Officer for 1st Regiment, a role in which she was hand-selected by leaders from BTD, AWPAA, and other directorates. In this capacity, she advocates for cadet-athletes across the Corps, bridging communication between athletic and academic leadership. In addition, she was selected and entrusted to serve as the regimental S6 (commo officer).
Her peers, instructors, leadership, and teammates consistently describe her as a competent, confident leader who continuously inspires those around her. Claire Lewis will leave a lasting legacy on the Women's Distance Team and the broader Army track & field and cross country programs.
Max Haynia '27 (Men's Cross Country)
Cadet Maximus Haynia, class of 2027, is a key member of the Army West Point men's cross country team and outstanding athlete who also demonstrates excellence in the academic, military, and character development programs at USMA. Max is a Systems Engineering Major with a Cumulative GPA of 3.6, who is very interested in studying the Aerospace field from the System's perspective as he considers capstone projects and individual research opportunities coming up. He identifies MC300 Fundamentals of Engineering Mechanics and Design as his favorite class, which is right in line with his ambitions to branch Engineers as an officer.
Max posted a personal best time of 23:40.6 finishing fifth overall and as Army's third finisher in the 2025 Army-Navy Star Meet 8k. His team's effort resulted in the narrowest margin of victory for the Midshipmen since 2019. Last year, he was also a key member contributing to his team's runner-up finish at the 2024 Patriot League championship meet. In this year's season opener, the Paul Short Invitational, Max was Army West Point's fifth runner across the line.
Max has taken on a leadership role with the young men's cross country team. He is very knowledgeable about running and consistently mentors younger Cadets on the team. His classroom knowledge directly supports the track & field and cross country teams. Max develops race plans and recovery strategies, which he shares with the team. He acts as a beacon of optimism during tough workouts and races, uplifting everyone around him even in challenging circumstances. Recently, Max has been dealing with injuries but has demonstrated true leadership and discipline by continuing to cross-train and stay fit despite his injury. In his first race after healing, he finished in the top five on the team. Max is a genuine cadet-athlete who leads from the front regardless of the situation.
Players Mentioned
Hooker
/ Men's Rugby
/ Men's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
Wing/Fullback
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