Hopi runner, Juwan Nuvayokva signs with Saucony

<i>Courtesy photo</i>

<i>Courtesy photo</i>

KEAMS CANYON, Ariz. - It doesn't happen often on an Indian reservation but Hopi distance runner, Juwan Nuvayokva, 29, recently signed a sponsorship agreement with Saucony, a designer and manufacturer of athletic footwear for men and women. This means that Nuvayokva is now part of the Saucony Hurricane Team for 2009. As a result, Nuvayokva gets the chance to fulfill his dream of running competitively as an official representative of Saucony.

Nuvayokva, an All-American at Northern Arizona University and six-time Arizona State champion for Hopi High School stated, "I feel motivated and the pressure is on to train much harder. It is a good pressure. If you are not sponsored, you lose hope and become stale."

Nuvayokva is well-known among the Native American running community as the founder and organizer of the Oraivi 8K Footrace and 2 Mile Fun Run and Walk. He has excelled through the sport of running and holds the distinction of winning the individual 10,000-meter Big Sky Conference event and obtaining the prestigious NCAA Division 1 All-American award. He also helped lead NAU to a fourth place finish at the NCAA championships in 2001. Currently, Nuvayokva teaches at Hopi High School and is an assistant coach to the Hopi boys cross country program.

"This is an unimaginable status to reach. I have a gift of running that I will continue using for as long as I can. It is like I am just getting started again. I feel that I still have a young heart and things are just getting started for me. I am happy and thankful that Saucony is giving me this rare opportunity that doesn't come easy," he added.

There are many obstacles that athletes face, many more for Native Americans, including lack of moral and financial support. Whatever the reasons, rarely will you read or hear about a Native American athlete signing on with a sponsor of this magnitude. Nuvayokva is thankful that Saucony believed in him and has given him the opportunity to continue his running career as he continues to represent the Native American.

"This just shows that it is possible to dream regardless of our background. One can reach his goal by practicing hard and believing in himself. It can happen to anyone!" he said.

Nuvayokva's dreams of helping his community started a couple of years ago with the creation of the "Oraivi Footrace" along with its sister program, "Saucony Nuvayokva Shoe Program." These programs promote a healthy lifestyle to reduce health problems many Native American face problems like diabetes.

Saucony is continuing to pledge their support by awarding 15 Native American high school runners with a pair of shoes under the Saucony Nuvayokva Shoe Program. Saucony's enthusiasm and commitment is also helping Oraivi Footrace to grow. Saucony will also be helping "The Hopi Camp of Champions," a camp held at Hopi High School annually during the summer in July. It is a running camp for the youth to help them develop their basic running skills and knowledge of running.

For more information, you may e-mail Hopi_Harrier@yahoo.com or visit www.oraivifootrace.com.

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