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Canku Ota |
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(Many Paths) |
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An Online Newsletter Celebrating Native America |
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February 23, 2002 - Issue 55 |
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Wings of America Cross Country Teams Take First and Second in USA |
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The Wings of America national cross-country teams competed at the 2002 USA Winter National Championships February 9 & 10 in Vancouver, WA. The Wings junior women captured the team title in their event, and the junior men were awarded 2nd place following a tie for 1st. On Saturday, Felicia Guliford (Zia Pueblo)
led the Wings junior women's team with an 8th place finish over-all.
She posted a time of 21:55 on the 6000-meter course, averaging a 5:52
mile. Guliford is a multi-time NM state champion from Gallup, NM. She
was followed by Erin Lewis (Acoma Pueblo living in Grants, NM) in 27th
place with a time of 24:25; Janice Tosa (Jemez Pueblo, NM), 29th place,
24:30; Christine Concho (Acoma Pueblo living in Barstow, CA), 31st place,
24:58; Jerri Martin (Navajo from Gallup, NM), 35th, 25:18; and Vanessa
Dan (Navajo from Fruitland, NM), 36th, 25:30. The winning time in the
Junior Women’s 6K was 21:05. Coaching the Wings junior women was
Alice Kinlichee (Navajo) from Hogback, NM. The top Wings junior men's runner was Anthony
Bachman (Sisseton-Wahpeton Sioux from Gillette, WY) who finished 14th
overall in the 8000-meter race posting a time of 26:00. The other Wings
team members and their place of finish and times are: Forrest Tahdooahnippah
(Comanche from St. Paul, MN), 20th, 26:11; CR Davis (Navajo from Gallup,
NM), 37th, 27:23; Ira LaFontaine (Chippewa from Portland, OR), 49th,
28:27, and Bradley Wells (Blackfeet from Bowling Green, OH) who finished
51st in a time of 28:57. Navajo runner, Arvin Thomas of Sanders, AZ,
was unable to finish due to injury. The scores of the top four finishers
of each team are tallied to determine the winning team. At the end of
the race, the Wings team was tied with Williamette University. The scoring
then goes to the fifth place team finisher, which resulted in the win
for Williamette. The top time in the Junior Men’s race was 24:48.
The Wings junior men were coached by James Nells (Navajo) from Moodys,
OK. Wings Executive Director Edison Eskeets and
Associate Director Anne Wheelock Gonzales accompanied the teams. Eskeets
comments, “The Wings junior men’s and women’s teams
were very competitive, and they shared their cultural identity and character
through running with pride. They represent several tribal affiliations
and are wonderful ambassadors on behalf of all Native peoples. The girls
ran well without concerns; several of the boys were plagued with injuries
and head colds! The results, however, showed warrior effort from all
runners. We embrace their efforts with honor. The Wings program is unmatched
and unique in fulfilling dreams of the younger generation with the hope
and harmony of a healthy life.” On Friday afternoon before the races, the
Wings runners were hosted at Nike World Headquarters where Alberto Salazar,
USA and world record-setting marathoner, spoke to the group. The Nike
Native American Employee Network and other supportive employees then
provided a job shadowing experience to each athlete. Over the four-day
weekend many other special individuals gave of their time to inspire
the Wings group including: Deena Drossin, Olympian and 5-times USA 8K
cross country champion; and Wings alumni Chance Rush (Hidatsa/Dakota/
Arapaho), motivational speaker and founder of Cloudboy Consulting and
Phillip Castillo (Acoma Pueblo), now a member of the Army World Class
Athlete Program. Wendy Hollister and dog Samson helped support the Wings
athletes on their race day. Samson has his Delta Pet Partners AAT (Animal
Assisted Therapy) and his HOPE AACR (Animal Assisted Crisis Response)
certification. Area supporters Jillene and Fred Joseph; Kim Just and
friends; the Portland Area Indian Health Service staff; Liling, John
and Sam Sherry; and the Native American Youth Association provided snacks
and dinners. Financial support for the trip was provided by Carl and Wahleah Davis, Notah Begay III (through the Albuquerque Community Foundation), and the Greg and Jenny Swanson family. Edison Eskeets also contributed the proceeds from his “Running for Generations” ultra-run to this program. Nike, Inc. provided uniforms and shoes for the Wings teams. Donors such as those listed above make Wings’ programs possible. Wings of America is a non-profit American Indian youth development program of The Earth Circle Foundation based in Santa Fe, NM. The Wings’ mission is to enhance the quality of life of American Indian youth. In partnership with Native communities, Wings uses running as a catalyst to empower American Indian and Alaskan Native youth to take pride in themselves and their cultural identity, leading to increased self esteem, health and wellness, leadership and hope, balance and harmony. Other programs include leadership and camp facilitator training, running and fitness camps, coaches training, product distribution, the annual Wind Messenger Footrace and sponsorships to Footlocker Regional Races. For more information about Wings of America, call 505-982-6761 or e-mail WingsAmer@aol.com <mailto:WingsAmer@aol.com>. For detailed results of the 2002 USA Winter National Cross Country Championships, go to: <http://www.usatf.org/events/2002/USAWinterXCChampionships/schedule.shtml>. By Anne Wheelock Gonzales |
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| Canku Ota is a free Newsletter celebrating Native America, its traditions and accomplishments . We do not provide subscriber or visitor names to anyone. Some articles presented in Canku Ota may contain copyright material. We have received appropriate permissions for republishing any articles. Material appearing here is distributed without profit or monetary gain to those who have expressed an interest. This is in accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107. | ||
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Canku Ota is a copyright © 2000, 2001, 2002 of Vicki Lockard and Paul Barry. |
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The "Canku Ota - A Newsletter Celebrating Native America" web site and its design is the |
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Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002 of Paul C. Barry. |
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All Rights Reserved. |
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