Please join Wings of America and the UNM Center for Native American Health as we host a free public screening of the award-winning documentary film “Run to the East” on Thursday, March 1, 2012 from 5:30pm to 8pm in the Domenici Center Auditorium on the UNM HSC Campus.

A special panel discussion exploring the idea of “sports as prevention” will begin at 5:30. Panel members will include Wings Program Director, Dustin Martin, UNM Associate Professor of Exercise Science, Dr. Len Kravitz and professional athlete and Nike N7 Ambassador, Alvina Begay. The film screening will begin promptly at 6:30.

Download Event Flyer
View a map to the event
Public Parking near the Domenici Center

For more info on non-Wings panel presenters, please see the following links:
Dr. Len Kravitz - http://www.drlenkravitz.com/
Alvina Begay - http://niken7.com/n7-ambassador/alvina-begay/

Last Saturday (February 11, 2012), 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, & 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 & blue at Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago on March 17th, our young men and women captured 1st and 3rd, respectively, in the team race. Wings of America congratulates our 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, Mr. 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.

Download full article including results from Press Releases

The next USATF Cross Country Championships will be held on February 11, 2012 at Forest Park in Saint Louis, Missouri. As in years past, Wings of America will sponsor a men and women’s team to represent Native America in the Junior race. The organization will cover travel expenses and room and board for the twelve young men and women selected to race in Wings uniforms. Aside from competing, the group will get the opportunity to absorb the culture of St. Louis and the surrounding area through a number of site visits and activities planned and paid for by Wings.

Download full article with Registration Information from Press Releases

Wings of America says "Thank You" to former Program Director, Shaun Martin. Shaun Martin resigned as the Wings Program Director on August 22, 2011. When Wings originally hired Shaun as the Interim Program Director, we knew there would be a time in which Shaun would have to let Wings go in order to maintain his achievable status as a full-time teacher and Cross Country coach at Chinle High School, ultra marathon runner and not to mention being a full-time husband/dad to wife Melissa, son Maverick (3 yrs old) and the newest member to the family arriving in January, Isabel Nidiyilii (Sunflower) Martin.

Wings would like to welcome Dustin Quinn Martin as its new program director. A two-time USATF national team alumnus and former running and fitness camp facilitator, Dustin is no stranger to the Wings family. After graduating summa cum laude from Columbia University in May, Dustin begins his work in Santa Fe after spending the summer in NYC learning the textile printing industry and building a clothing company with a teammate from high school.

As Wings prepares to select its team for the 2012 National Cross Country Championships in St. Louis, Missouri, Dustin is excited to recruit and foster yet another group of elite Native athletes poised for success.

It was Dustin's performance in a Wings jersey in 2006 and 2007 that helped him earn the attention of college coaches across the nation. This attention eventually earned him an academic scholarship to Columbia and the chance to run as a Lion for four years. He cannot wait to use his new position as a vehicle to send more Native runners to college to do what they love most. Within the next year, Dustin hopes to expand Wings' programs to include more athletes outside of the Southwest and provide year-round incentives to elementary-aged kids making running strides toward their futures.

Download full article from Press Releases

Mikayla, Leanne, Tamera, Julia, Felicia, Rolonda

Johnathan, Maruice, Warren, Justin, Kyle, Troy

The Wings of America Junior Team traveled to San Diego February 3rd for the USATF Cross Country National Championships. In the Junior Women’s race, Julia Foster (Jemez/Navajo/Mohawk) guided the team finishing 8th overall and earning a spot on Team USA for the North American, Central American and Caribbean Championships (NACAC) to be held in Trinidad and Tobago on February 19th, 2011. Rolonda Jumbo (Navajo) was not far behind in 12th place overall. She is an alternate for Team USA and waiting to hear if she is going to race at the NACAC Championships as well. Tamera Lementino (Zuni) was 33rd overall, Leanne Lee (Zuni/Navajo) finished 44th, Mikayla Hudgins (Navajo) finished 50th overall and Felicia James (Navajo) was 51st respectively. The Junior Women placed third as a team.

The Junior Men’s Team finished the 8k race earning a National Runner-Up team title. Leading the team was Troy Madalena (Jemez) in 59th place. Justin Lueras (Zuni) finished 61st, Kyle Fast Wolf (Oglala-Lakota) was 66th, Johnathan Yazzie (Navajo) was 70th, Warren Jim (Navajo) was 78th and Maruice Cruz (Ohkay Owingeh) finished in 80th place respectively.

During the week, the team was able to see San Diego via amphibious vehicle tour and experience Southern California beach life at Mission and Pacific Beach. Wings of America Board Member, Billy Mills was able to join the team all weekend and provide very inspirational words and encouragement.

Join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pages/Wings-of-America/110491715675806 for more information and pictures.

Download the Press Release.

The selection process for the 2011 Wings of America team was based on performance at the Nike Cross Nationals REGIONAL RACES. For individuals unable to make a Nike Regional race and those in college, the application process was available. Overall time related to course difficulty, course conditions and weather conditions, were considered by the Coaches to select the top six individuals.

• Julia Foster - Navajo/Jemez/Mohawk
• Rolonda Jumbo – Navajo
• Tamara Lementino – Zuni
• Leanne Lee – Zuni
• Mikayla Hudgins – Navajo
• Felicia James – Navajo

• Johnathan Yazzie – Navajo
• Troy Madalena - Jemez/Navajo
• Kyle J. Fast Wolf - Oglala-Lakota
• Maurice Cruz - Ohkay Owingeh
• Lucien Corriveau – Kiowa/Apache
• Justin Lueras - Zuni

Download the Press Release.

Wings is a national grassroots American Indian youth program which holds health, fitness and mentorship camps for American Indian youth ages 6 to 19.  For further information, please contact the Wings office at 505.982.6761.