Wings of America celebrates Hopi and Navajo cross country runners
Athletes given the opportunity to earn a spot on Team USA
ST. LOUIS, Mo.-On Feb. 11, two teams of Wings athletes ran in the Junior races at the USA Cross Country Championships in St. Louis, Missouri. The event offered some of the Nation's best long-distance runners (ages 14-19) the chance to earn a spot on Team USA to compete at the 2012 North America, Central American, and Caribbean (NACAC) Cross Country Championships.
Woven across a sloping lawn in St. Louis' Forest Park, this year's course challenged competitors with sloppy footing, below-freezing temperatures and piercing winds. Though no individual Wings runner qualified to run in red white and blue at Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago on March 17, some young men and women captured first and third, respectively, in the team race. Wings of America congratulates these outstanding student-athletes on their impressive displays of fitness, fortitude and camaraderie. As in years past, they made certain that Native America was well represented in this important nationally monitored race.
Before stepping to the line, both the men and women's teams were honored to dedicate their performance to the late Geoff Hollister. As a former board member and constant source of support and inspiration for Wings, Hollister lent more than just his stature as a competitive running pioneer to the organization. His passion and legacy will forever linger in the hopes, dreams, and triumphs of Wings athletes. Thank you Geoff.
Aside from the race, trip highlights included visits to the St. Louis Science Center and the Gateway arch.
Wings Results-
Junior Women (6 kilometer)
Rolonda Jumbo - Navajo: 16th 22:13.8, Raeshelle Largo - Navajo: 39th 27:41.5, Jelani Huma - Hopi: 37th 25:30.9, Kailee Birdinground - Navajo: 32nd 24:05.8, Valene Madalena - Jemez/Navajo: 38th 26:59.5.
Junior Men (8 kilometer)
Troy Madalena - Jemez/Navajo: 34th 28:17.6, Ryan Lesansee -Jemez/Zuni: 29th 27:38.2, Kevin Gia - Zuni: 41st 29:38.5, Anthony Masayesva - Hopi/Navajo: 36th 28:40, Jackson Thomas - Navajo: 26th 26:50.6, Johnathan Yazzie - Navajo: 28th 27:20.0.
For full race results, please visit http://www.usatf.org/events/2012/USAXCChampionships/results.asp
For more pictures from the trip, please visit the Wings of America page on Wings of America page on Facebook.
Every year Wings of America (The Earth Circle Foundation, Inc.) sponsors a men and women's team of Junior runners (ages 14-19, cannot turn 20 in 2012) from across Native America to compete at the USATF Cross Country Championships. The qualifier for the USA World Cross Country Team on alternating years, the Championships are held in February of each year. Wings created this opportunity to showcase the talents and positive achievements of American Indian youth and provide them with a cross-cultural learning experience. The program brings Native youth of varying backgrounds together to compete as a team in an elite field of both high school and college runners. Many program alumni have earned the attention of college coaches with their performance in this race. Wings runners have captured 23 national junior team titles since 1988.
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