14 chosen to represent Wings of America
Miyamura's Niles Thomas was one of 14 runners selected to represent Wings of America at the 2015 USA Cross-Country Championships on Feb. 7 in Boulder, Colo. (File photo)
FORT DEFIANCE
Miyamura’s Niles Thomas was one of 14 runners selected to represent Wings of America at the 2015 USA Cross-Country Championships on Feb. 7 in Boulder, Colo. (File photo)
Fourteen young men and women have been selected to represent Wings of America and Native America in the junior race at the 2015 USA Cross-Country Championships on Feb. 7 in Boulder, Colo.
“Qualifying for the 2015 Wings of America national team was no easy task,” said Wings of America Program Director Dustin Martin. “Throughout November and December, nearly 65 14- to 19-year-old American Indian runners posted qualifying times at postseason races across the United States.”
Ryan Dodson, an assistant cross-country coach at Window Rock High School, will be the junior men’s head coach.
Dodson said this year’s junior national team is one of the strongest Wings has ever had.
“The chance to represent Native America through running is a remarkable experience that these young people will always cherish,” Dodson said.
Dodson noted that many of the runners competed against each other throughout their high school careers, as friendly rivals. He said they will be racing as a united team.
“This is the beauty of Wings of America, it is the beauty of running, to race and to compete and make lasting friendship,” Dodson said.
Based on their qualifying time at the NXN Southwest Meet in Casa Grande, Ariz., on Nov. 22, the junior men’s team consists of Niles Thomas, Jordan Lesansee, Anthony Masayesva, Adriano Joe, Timberlin Henderson, Shawvan Levi and Tre’ Riley.
Highway 264,
I-40, WB @ Winslow