Hopi boys cross-country team honored

The Hopi High boys cross-country team received commemorative rings for winning its 17th state championship—a state and national record (Photo by Stan Bindell/Observer).

The Hopi High boys cross-country team received commemorative rings for winning its 17th state championship—a state and national record (Photo by Stan Bindell/Observer).

POLACCA-Hopi High School's boys cross-country team was presented with commemorative state championship rings and plaques Jan. 25 between the girls and boys basketball games against Monument Valley at Hopi High.

Hopi High School Principal Glenn Gilman presented the boys cross-country runners, coach Rick Baker and assistant coach Juwan Nuvayakva with the rings because the Bruins won the state championship again this school year.

It was the 17th straight year that the Bruins won the state championship in boys cross-country-setting state and national records.

Vonn Secakuku, who has run on the state championship team for the past four years, said he was ecstatic and honored to receive the ring.

"It felt great to receive our first cross-country rings," he said. "The rings are pretty nice. I like that it has my name on it, that it mentions that we're state champions and that Hopi High has won it 17 years in a row."

Secakuku, a senior, said he is glad the team received the rings and the plaques because he thought his teammates deserved it.

The rings have a bear claw in the center and read "17th straight state champs." Each ring also has the runner's first name engraved on the outside of the ring and the his first and last name engraved on the inside.

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