Home
Home
About Wings
Our Programs
Program Schedule

Press Releases

Donors
Wings Alumni
Additional Resources
Wings of America: American Indian Youth Development Programs
News

February 18, 2008

Wings Junior Men Capture Nationals

Wings of America sponsored an all-American Indian junior men and women’s team to compete at USA Cross Country Championships held in San Diego, California, February 16th. The junior men’s team walked away with an impressive 2nd place finish, while the junior women cruised to a sixth place finish.

The championship races on Saturday were held under sunny skies with temperatures in the mid-50s. The course was moist and grassy from Thursday’s rain. All races were held at the Mission Bay Park. It was a European-style 2,000 meter grass loop with several rolling hills.

Under the coaching leadership of Jill Jim (Navajo), the Wings Junior women captured 6th place team honors on Saturday. They were lead by Jordan Brown (Navajo) from Gallup, NM. The following results are from the 2008 USA Cross Country 6k Championships:

Jordan Brown Navajo 37th 24:09
Allison Bedonie Navajo 44th 24:49
Vinita Joe Navajo 57th 26:12
Myka Benally Navajo 58th 26:26
DeAnn Honanie Hopi 61st 27:00
Chantel Hunt Navajo 62nd 27:05

Under the coaching of Shaun Martin (Navajo) the Wings junior men’s team was ready. The Junior Men’s team was lead by Dillon Shije from Zia Pueblo. He ran a great race. The following results are from the 2008 USA Cross Country 8k Championships:

Dillon Shije Zia Pueblo 56th 27:03
Donovan Jim Navajo 73rd 28:12
Marc Whirlwind Soldier Rosebud Sioux 81st 28:39
Vernard Martinez Navajo 86th 29:03
Wesley Running Rosebud Sioux 94th 30:16
Thomas Martinez Navajo 99th 31:21



Wings of America was featured in the NY Times on Saturday

The article can be found here: Running From Despair, by JOE SPRING


Wings of America, a 20-year-old nonprofit organization, consists of American Indian runners from reservations around the country that dominate running championships...

Wings of America have been taking junior teams to national cross-country championships since 1988. Wings is a national grassroots youth program which holds health, fitness and mentorship camps for Native youth ages 6 to 19. For further information, please contact the Wings office at 505.982.6761.
The Earth Circle Foundation, Inc.  Wings of America is a program of The Earth Circle Foundation, Inc.
 P. O. Box 22625, Santa Fe, NM 87502-2625  |  phone 505.982.6761  |  fax 505.989.8995
 WingsAmer@aol.com