Tsé Yi’ Gai runner wins first-ever X-C district crown
Navajo Times | Quentin Jodie
The Tsé Yi’ Gai boys pose for a picture after winning the team crown at the 1A District 1 meet on Friday afternoon with senior Taysen Begay (third from left) winning the district title in 17:59.56.
PINE HILL, N.M.
Long distance runner Taysen Begay has several district titles under his belt.
The Tsé Yi’ Gai senior captured three district crowns during the spring track season last school year as that gave him the confidence to win two state championships at the New Mexico Class 1A state track meet.
As for cross-country, winning a district title had eluded him. That all changed on Friday afternoon as Begay earned the individual title at the 1A District 1 meet, which was hosted by Pine Hill High School.
Begay won the 5K course with a time of 17:59.56 as he earned the district’s Runner of the Year award. He beat out teammate Mason Yazzie for the district crown by nearly 10 seconds with Yazzie clocking in at 18:10.22.
“Before the race, I told Mason that he should keep up with me, and that we’re going to push the pace,” Begay said.
To read the full article, please see the Nov. 5, 2026, edition of the Navajo Times.
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