Wings of America will sponsor a team of the fastest Native American runners ages 14-19 to compete at the USA Cross Country Championships. Eight young men and eight young women will represent the organization in the “junior” age division races on January 20, 2024 in Richmond, VA at Pole Green Park. They will have the unique opportunity to race the NCAA regular-season cross country distance (Women 6KM, Men 8KM), as well as numerous college freshman, in Richmond, VA. With the help of Wings and their high school coaches, these student-athletes will train through the winter holidays to stay in shape for running competition. More information about the National Meet and course can be found here.
Runners will be selected for the team based on their performance at post-season championship races, including Nike Cross Regionals and Champs Sports (formerly “Eastbay” or “Footlocker”) Regionals. After an open registration period in which runners may identify themselves as eligible for selection, those with the 8 fastest regional qualifying times, men and women, will be invited to be a part of the Wings National Team. To register apply here.
Qualifying Race Registration & Lodging Assistance
Wings provides dozens of deserving student-athletes with travel and race registration assistance to attend their regional qualifying race. This year Wings staff and student-athletes will travel to Nike Cross Southwest Regional in Mesa, AZ on November 17-18, 2023. Dozens of others will make the trip with their families, with race registration and lodging covered by the Wings organization.
Wings will assist Native American high school student-athletes wishing to qualify for the Wings National Team with one or more of the following:
–Race Registration Fees
-Hotel Room Costs
-Travel to NXR SW Race
To receive NXR or Champs Sports Regional race assistance, runners must meet the following standards:
- Finish at or below the qualifying time in at least one (5K) race during the 2023 high school cross country season.
- Boys: 17:40
- Girls: 21:30
- **If your state races a distance other than 5K, please contact Wings for a qualifying time**
- Complete the 2024 Wings National Team Application.
- Submit a grade check form and class schedule.
- Must be in good academic standing (C average or better in each class) to receive assistance.
- Provide proof of affiliation in a state or federally recognized tribal nation (United States only).
Wings National Team Application and grade check form must be submitted at least seven (7) days before the student-athlete participates in qualifying race.
Nike Cross Regionals (NXR):
NXR Northwest Regional Boise, Idaho (November 11, 2023)
States include: AK, HI, ID, MT, OR, WA, WY
NXR Heartland Regional Sioux Falls, South Dakota (November 12, 2023)
States include: IA, KS, MN, NE, ND, SD, WI
NXR Midwest Regional Terre Haute, Indiana (November 12, 2023)
States include: IN, IL, OH, MI, MO
NXR Southwest Regional Mesa, Arizona (November 18, 2023)
States include: AZ, CO, NM, NV, UT
NXR South Regional The Woodlands, Texas (November 18, 2023)
States include: AR, LA, OK, TX, MS
NXR Southeast Regional Cary, North Carolina (November 19, 2023)
States include: DE, MD, VA, NC, SC, GA, FL, AL, TN, KY, WV, DC
NXR Northeast/New York Regional Wappingers Falls, New York (November 25, 2023)
States include: NJ, NY, PA, CT, MA, ME, VT, RI, NH
Champs Sports Cross Country Regionals:
Champs Sports West Region Location: TBA (December 2, 2022)
States include: AK, AZ, CA, HI, ID, MT, NV, NM, OR, UT, WA, WY
Champs Sports Northeast Region Location: TBA (November 25, 2023)
States include: CT, DE, ME, MD, MA, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VT, DC
Champs Sports South Region Location: TBA (November 25, 2023)
States include: AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, OK, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV
Champs Sports Midwest Region Location: TBA (November 25, 2023)
States include: CO, IL, IN, OH, MI, MN, MO, ND, SD
Wings National Team Winter Training Camp
In addition to traveling with Wings to Richmond, VA in January 2024, Nationals team members are invited to a training camp hosted in Albuquerque, NM over the holidays. Apart from providing additional motivation to train for Nationals, this camp provides an opportunity for Team Members to get to know one another before their travels.
The Wings National Team opportunity was created to showcase the talents of Native American youth and provide exposure to higher levels of competition in the company of runners from different tribes. Many program alumni have earned the attention of college coaches and/or a spot on a junior national team competing for “Team USA” internationally. Wings National Teams have captured 34 national titles since their debut in 1988.
Questions? Contact Mariah Gachupin, Program Director
Ph: (505) 521-9799 Email: mariah@wingsofamerica.org
