Pojoaque Crossroads moved to Saturday, 10/25

Wings has just learned that the Pojoaque Pueblo Crossroads 5K has been moved from 10/31 to THIS SATURDAY 10/25 @ 5:30pm at the Pojoaque Wellness Center. See the attached flyer for more details. Also, see the attached list of those participants with 3 Crossroads events attended HERE. You can still earn a Crossroads t-shirt through the Wings incentive program by attending Saturday’s event. For your reference, the list also includes participants who have already attended enough events to earn an incentive. Please contact Wings program director, Dustin Martin (dustin@wingsofamerica.org) if your attendance record at Crossroads events seems incorrect according to our list.

Pojoaque Crossroads Flyer

 

Posted in OUTREACH PROGRAMS / ORGANIZATIONS

A Peek into the Wings T-Shirt Vault: Work by Lizard Light Productions

Many of us with running addictions also hoard a collection of race t-shirts somewhere in our wardrobes. In truth, you may never wear any of these mementos again- but you just can’t bring yourself to donate them to the thrift store. The Wings organization is no different. Between National Team selection races, community events, youth cross country leagues, summer Running & Fitness Camps and Indian Market 5K’s, the Wings logo and name have adorned hundreds of t-shirts since 1988.

Thanks to an industrious member of our Board of Directors, Cathy Short, visitors to the Wings office will soon be able to peruse t-shirt history. At the request of our Program Director, Cathy took dozens of archived Wings tees and turned them into “history banners”. Take a look. Perhaps you remember a few of these tees? More importantly, perhaps you remember the race, run, walk or game you took part in the day you got that shirt?

If you appreciate Cathy’s work, please “Like” her studio, Lizard Light Productions, on Facebook by clicking “Post” or “Lizard Light Productions” just below.

Post by Lizard Light Productions.

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Posted in Miscellaneous

Wings Announces Registration & Travel Assistance Criteria for National Team Applicants

Event ImageCross country season in full effect and the taste of fall is in the air yet again! Accordingly, the Wings office has shifted its focus from Running & Fitness Camps to recruiting our 2015 National Team. Fortunately there are many regular-season races yet to be run before 14 young men and women are selected to represent Native America at the USATF Cross Country Championships next February in Boulder, CO.

As in years past, Wings will require all National Team hopefuls to run a post-season qualifying time at their Nike Cross (NXN) or Footlocker regional championship race. After all regional races have been run, a selection committee will select the top seven boys and girls from around Indian Country to represent Wings. This all-expense-paid trip is the pinnacle of the Wings experience.  Every year since 1988, Wings National Team members have received a brand new racing kit and the opportunity to prove their worth amongst the best runners in the United States. Wings teams have brought home 24 national team titles.

Because post-season racing and travelling can be expensive, Wings has developed a program to help would-be National Team members defray some of their costs.

Wings has made provisions to assist American Indian student-athletes wishing to qualify for the Wings National Team under the following terms:

Regional Race Registration Assistance:

In order for Wings to pay NXN or Footlocker Regional race registration fees, student-athletes must:

1. Have finished at least one official team race during the regular 2014 High School cross country season at (or below) the qualifying standards:

Men’s Qualifying Time________________________________________________(5K)- 17:15

Women’s Qualifying Time _____________________________________________(5K)- 21:10

**In Oklahoma_____________________________________(3200 meters)- 12:55

2. Complete the free 2015 Wings National Team Selection application on the Wings website (https://www.wingsofamerica.org/2015wingsnationalteam/) at least fourteen (14) days before the qualifying race they wish to run.

3. Email the Wings Program Director (dustin@wingsofamerica.org) at least fourteen (14) days before the qualifying race they wish to run to confirm their desire to be registered to compete.

4. Be able to provide proof of enrollment in a state or federally recognized Indian Tribe.

 5. Provide a copy of their class schedule and a “grade check” indicating that each of their current teachers considers their coursework to be of C-Average or “satisfactory” quality.

Regional Race Travel Assistance:

In addition to assisting with race registration fees, Wings will transport a number of student-athletes from Arizona, New Mexico and Oklahoma to NXN regional races. Those traveling in Wings vehicles will be under the direct supervision of Wings personnel during the duration of the trip and must stay in accommodations arranged by the organization the night before competition. Spots in Wings vehicles are very limited and will be filled on a first-come-first-serve basis with beneficiaries adhering to the following terms:

  1. Student-athletes must meet ALL qualifying criteria for race registration assistance.
  2. Student-athletes must contact the Wings Program Director, Dustin Martin, as soon as possible to express their interest and reserve their spot.
  3. Student-athletes are responsible for the cost of all meals and/or miscellaneous travel expenses during the trip.
  4. Students-athletes and their parents must return a signed accident waiver and release of liability form to the Wings office at least seven (7) days prior to travel.
  5. Students-athletes must return a signed code of conduct agreement to the Wings office at least seven (7) days prior to travel.
  6. Student-athletes must meet Wings vehicles at pre-designated pick-up/drop-off locations on their way to regional races.
    1. Arizona/New Mexico locations: Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Shiprock, Gallup, Tuba City, Flagstaff. (exact locations to be specified at a later date)
    2. Oklahoma location: Oklahoma City (Bass Pro Shop)

***Alternate pick-up/drop-off locations may be arranged on a case by case bases if meeting place is on the pre-planned route of a vehicle***

The official race registration and travel assistance document/application is available HERE. Those wishing to apply should take special note of page 3, the grade check form.

For more information about the 2015 Wings National Team and selection criteria, in general, please visit the information and registration page HERE.

Posted in WINGS SUMMER 2012

9.13.14- Global Footprints 3K XC & Youth Relay 2014

THERE IS STILL TIME TO REGISTER!!!

Free Registration: https://www.newmexicosportsonline.com/Running/Global-Footprints-3K-XC-Relay-2014/752

As part of the 4th running of the Santa Fe Thunder Half Marathon, Global Running Culture invites your child, age 6-13, to participate in the FREE Global Footprints Youth Runs! The kids’ events will be held during the Global Running Festival, where 1,000+ runners from over 30 states will be picking up their race packets and enjoying world music, international arts & crafts and cheering on the young runners!

Youth Run Map (Click to see)

Participants will receive
Nike event T-shirt, healthy snacks and drinks, a custom slap bracelet and the opportunity to meet world class runners from Kenya and other parts of the world!

Events will include
Timed 3K cross-country race for young runners age 9-13 (12:30 PM) and the third annual Global Footprints Youth Relay for kids age 6-10 (1:30 PM)

Sign up early – space is limited and these events will fill up!

For more information about the Santa Fe Thunder Half Marathon, go to www.santafethunder.com

Global Running Culture is a 100% volunteer non-profit organization whose mission is to better the lives of youth through the powers of sport and education. GRC carries out programs in 3 communities where running remains a vital part of the local culture – Matugent, Kenya, Cusarare, Copper Canyon Mexico and northern New Mexico. For more information about Global Running Culture, please visit www.globalrunningculture.org.

GRC, Girls on the Run, the Santa Fe Striders and Wings of America present the Global Footprints Youth Runs to further our mutual goals of encouraging active lifestyles for our children.

Contact Details:info@santafethunder.com

 

Event Flier

Event Flier

 

Posted in WINGS SUMMER 2012

2014 Indian Market 5K: Results and Pictures

Hosted by The Pueblo of Pojoaque at The Downs at Santa Fe and co-sponsored by the New York Road Runners Foundation, Wings was proud to provide a quality 5K and kid’s 2K the sunday after Indian Market FREE OF CHARGE. Though many registrants ultimately chose not to show up to claim their bib on race day, we are proud of the 206 competitors (173 in the 5K, 33 in the youth 2K) that showed up to run! We hope those of you that competed had a wonderful time and that you’ll join us for future Indian Market 5K’s for years to come.

Thanks once again to all the volunteers that helped register participants, mark the course, print shirts, prepare bibs, hand out shirts and monitor the course. We could not have done it without you!

Also, a huge shootout to The Pueblo of Pojoaque and the New Your Road Runners Foundation for providing the venue and funds that enabled us to put on a free family event.

Results can be found by clicking HERE

Additional Pictures can be found in our album “Indian Market 5K 2014” on our Facebook.

The scene out from under the registration tent to runners preparing for the 5K.

The scene out from under the registration tent to runners preparing for the 5K.

 

 

 

 

 

5K competitors battle up one of the last hills before making it to the long grass flats at the end.

5K competitors battle up one of the last hills before making it to the long grass flats at the end.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Competitors in the kids 2K warm up as a group before their race.

Competitors in the kids 2K warm up as a group before their race.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wings summer facilitator and 2014 Indian Market 5K winner, Andy Yazzie, trots alongside Wings summer R&F Camp participant and Kids 2K winner, Brian Madalena (age 6), as he high gears past the first kilometer mark.

Wings summer facilitator and 2014 Indian Market 5K winner, Andy Yazzie, trots alongside Wings summer R&F Camp participant and Kids 2K winner, Brian Madalena (age 6), as he high gears past the first kilometer mark.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here comes the future!!

Here comes the future!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wings founder and Board Chair congratulates the women's 4th place overall finisher, Kathryn Becker, on a job well done.

Wings founder and Board Chair congratulates the women’s 4th place overall finisher, Kathryn Becker, on a job well done.

 

Posted in WINGS SUMMER 2012

Wings Indian Market 5K- August 24th

FREE registration is now available for the annual “Indian Market 5K”. This event will celebrate another successful summer of Running & Fitness Camps and the organization’s 26th anniversary of promoting health and wellness amongst youth in Indian Country.  FREE race t-shirts will be dispersed on a first registered, first-served basis.  Quantities are limited to 192 pieces, adult and youth sizes combined.

shirt sample pic copy

 

 

Peep at the official 2014 Wings 5K race shirt!

 

 

 

We are excited to host the event at The Downs of Santa Fe for the first time. The move will give participants the opportunity to run a true cross country course complete with rolling grass hills and some quality dirt path. Perhaps even a few competitors will spike up? Expect to see hay bales on the course too!

Aside from the 5K, we will run a 2K on the in-field for our up-and-coming track stars ages 4-11. Registration includes a race t-shirt (see graphics below) and refreshments after the run.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!

Race registration packet pick up will be held on Saturday, August 23rd at our SWAIA booth located in the Cathedral Park (booth #8 across from the Children’s Art Tent) from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  That’s not all, this year we will have a FREE BACK TO SCHOOL SHOE DISTRIBUTION for any and all American Indian Youth.  So please stop by our booth this weekend.   **Your student(s)/Child(ren) must be present to receive a pair of shoes.  Sizes and styles are limited.**

**Spikes will be permitted on the course. 1/4″ or smaller recommended.**

Parking in a dirt lot at the track is FREE. All participants will be required to walk to the center of the track to start the race via the tunnel beneath the south turn. Port-a-potties will be the only restroom facilities available. Water and post-race refreshments will be available for all registered participants.

**Day-of registration (for both the 5K and the 2K kids race) will close 30 minutes prior to the start of each race. NO EXCEPTIONS**

Awards will go to the top three finishers in each of the following categories for the 5K ONLY:

12 & under

13-18 years old

19-30 years old

31-49 years old

50+ years old

RACE DAY Schedule: Sunday, 8/24

7:00am- Day-of Registration/Packet Pick-up Opens

8:30am- Day-of Registration Closes

9:00am- 5K (All Ages/Categories)

10:00am-Kids 2K (ages 4-11)

10:30am-Awards

5K flyer new

 

 

 

Posted in WINGS SUMMER 2012

Wings team wins Hopi Relays

This past Saturday, May 24th, Wings of America took a team to Lower Old Oraibi to run the Hakintonmuya Relays. Organized by Juwan Nuvayokva of “Run Hopi”, this unique race challenges participants with some of the sandiest and steepest terrain on the Hopi Reservation. Each team entered is co-ed.  This years Wings’ team was made up of Binahnii Curley, Daangoina Haven, Nikesha Eagleman and Dion John. As the team arrived early at 6am on Saturday morning, the weather was cool after the rain of the previous days, which had left the air beautifully clear for each runners’ 4 mile leg of the 16 mile relay. This helped with the initial challenging sand hill that runners face on the relay course! All four runners ran a successful race, with the team coming in first place overall for the relays. They were each awarded prizes of Run Hopi sweatshirts and Nike duffle bags. Winners in other categories earned other Nike apparel provided by Wings. Congratulations B, Dion, Daan, Nikesha and everyone else who competed last Saturday!

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Posted in WINGS SUMMER 2014

Registration now open for the 2014 (Sixteenth Annual) American Indian Running Coaches’ Clinic

2014_Coaches_Clinic_Flyer w-schedule

Wings of America is gearing up for its Sixteenth Annual American Indian Running Coaches’ Clinic! The 2014 Coaches’ Clinic will held in Albuquerque, NM, from June 5th – 7th and will be hosted by Futures for Children.

Join Wings of America’s summer Facilitators-In-Training as these youth mentors gain the knowledge they need to become better athletes, leaders, coaches and community members. Presenters include, among others: Chester Carl, (Narbona Pass Classic Race Director) “A Lifetime Running on the Rez”; Shaun Martin, (Athletic Director, Diné College) “Updates from a Runner’s Paradise”; Chuck Foster, (Utah Indian Education Director, American Indian Athletic Hall of Fame Inductee) “The Influence of Running on a Career in Education”; and Arturo Barrios, WR Holder, 10,000M (’89-’93) “Digging Deep to Achieve Greatness”. Clinic attendees will gain new perspectives on the history of Native Running and learn ways to take their passion to the next level.

Registration is $75, and includes a Wings t-shirt, presentations and materials and meals (dinner Thursday; breakfast & lunch Friday and Saturday). There are only 30 spots available, and Registration closes June 2nd, so make sure to register now by clicking here, or by calling (505)-982-6761.

The Sixteenth Annual American Indian Running Coaches’ Clinic is hosted by Futures for Children and sponsored by the Navajo Nation JMI, and Nike N7.

Posted in WINGS SUMMER 2014

Announcing the 2014 Wings National Team and Coaches

Event ImageThough the fall Cross Country season has officially come to a close, Wings has asked fourteen young Native runners to train through the holidays in preparation for the 2014 USATF Cross Country Championships. These talented student-athletes were selected from a pool of over 75 applicants from across the United States to represent Wings in the “Junior” race on February 15th in Boulder, CO. Each participated in an NXN or Footlocker regional champion race to post a qualifying time for the Wings Team. Congratulations to these hard-working young men and women:

Selected Athlete (Tribal Affiliation), School, Town

Men Women
Binahnii Curley (Navajo), Central Arizona College, Coolidge, AZ Kimberly Chapman (Zuni Pueblo), Cibola HS, Albuquerque, NM
Donevan Gravelle (Laguna Pueblo), Taos HS, Taos, NM Nikesha Eagleman (Rosebud Sioux), Ganado HS, Ganado, AZ
Jordan Lesansee (Jemez Pueblo/Zuni Pueblo), Albuquerque Academy, Albuquerque, NM Daangoina Haven (Navajo), Ganado HS, Ganado, AZ
Shawvan Levi (Navajo), Shiprock HS, Shiprock, NM Hope Johnson, Cibola HS, Albuquerque, NM
Anthony Masayesva (Hopi), Tuba City HS, Tuba City, AZ Annoesika Laughlin (Navajo), Navajo Pine HS, Navajo, NM
Brian Masayesva (Hopi), Tuba City HS, Tuba City, AZ Valene Madalena (Jemez Pueblo/Navajo), Jemez Valley HS, Jemez Pueblo, NM
Niles Thomas (Navajo), Miyamura HS, Gallup, NM Maricia Pacheco (White Earth Ojibwe), Farmington Senior HS, Farmington, MN

Sampson Sage of Piedra Vista High School (Farmington, NM) and Laverne Lomakema of Hopi Senior High have been named honorary coaches of the all-star squad. Both will travel with the team to Boulder to serve as mentors and advisors as Wings athletes prepare for the race.

For a full list of all applicants who ran a qualifying time at their regional championship race, please see: SELECTION POOL & TIMES

For more information about the Wings National Team selection criteria and process, please click HERE

To view the official press release announcing the 2014 Wings Team, please see: 2014 USATF PRESS RELEASE

The organization will cover travel expenses and room and board for the fourteen young men and women selected to race in Wings uniforms. Aside from competing, the group will get the opportunity to absorb the culture of Boulder and the surrounding area through a number of site visits and activities planned and paid for by Wings.

Wings created this opportunity in order to showcase the talents and positive achievements of American Indian youth and provide them with a cross-cultural learning experience. The program brings Native youth together from across the nation to compete as a team in an elite field of both high school and college runners. Many program alumni have earned the attention of college coaches with their performance in this race. Wings runners have captured twenty four national junior team titles since 1988.

Wings would once again like to thank The HB Oppenheimer Fund for its contribution to the organization to help fund recruitment and promotion efforts. With stimulus from The Fund, Wings was able to assist nearly 40 student-athletes with race registrations, travel and lodging costs as they attended their regional qualifying races.

Wings athletes pose near the finish line of the NXN South championships on November 23rd in Woodlands, TX.

Wings athletes pose near the finish line of the NXN South championships on November 23rd in Woodlands, TX.

The Gila River Indian Community's color guard presented the flag during the National anthem at the NXN SW championships on November 23rd in Mesa, AZ

The Gila River Indian Community’s color guard presented the flag during the National anthem at the NXN SW championships on November 23rd in Mesa, AZ

Posted in USATF, USATF 2014

Wings of America 25th Anniversary Celebration – August 15, 2013 – 4:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.

Wings of America will celebrate 25 years of service to Native youth in style with a fundraiser event in Santa Fe on Thursdsay, August 15, 2013 from 4:30 pm-7:30 p.m.  Hosted by board member Dr. Letitia Chambers, Wings will honor 1964 Olympic Gold Medalst, Billy Mills,  and three founding members Will Channing, Andrew Hixon and Oren Lyons.

Plans include cocktail reception, silent auction (donors: Adrian Wall, Kathleen Wall, Penny Singer, Patricia Michaels, Phillip Haozous, Alan Houser, and so much more), live art auction by Bunky Echohawk, III,  entertainment by Matthew Andrae and special guest Chance Rush.  Tickets are $50 per person, all fundraising efforts will go towards more Running & Fitness camps on the Native reservations across our Country.  You may contact Delight Talawepi at 505-982-6761 to reserve your spot in this once-in-a-lifetime celebration of serving Native youth since 1988.  This is a fundraising effort, if you are unable to attend, PLEASE CONSIDER DONATING TO WINGS OF AMERICA WITH THE MISSION TO SERVE MORE NATIVE YOUTH AS WE CONTINUE TO “DANCE ON MOTHER EARTH”.  To download a contribution card, click here: Reply Card.  

In conjuntion of our 25th Anniversary, please remember Wings will host the Wings of America Indian Market 5K Race and Fun Run/Walk on Sunday, August 18, 2013 at the Santa Fe Indian School Football/Track & Field.  A commemorative t-shirt designed by Wings Program Director, Dustin Martin and long-time Wings supporter and artist, Tony Abeyta, will be available to all paid participants, don’t miss out on the beautiful design.  Click here for more information: https://www.wingsofamerica.org/ai1ec_event/2013-indian-market-5k-run/?instance_id=1314

25th Invitation - Front&Directions     25th Invitation - Inside   25th Contribution Card    Indian Market Run Flyer

 

 

 

Posted in FUNDRAISING