Wings’ Junior National Cross Country Championship team embodies the organization’s philosophy of youth development year after year. Selected for their exemplary performance both on and off the cross-country course, team members consistently give Native America something to be proud of. Hailing from across Indian Country, these high-school-aged student-athletes have come together to capture 35 national team titles since Wings first sponsored men’s and women’s team in 1988. With these victories in mind, the organization works to elevate the level of consciousness, competition and accountability amongst the youth we serve throughout the year.
Held at the beginning of each year, the USA National Cross Country Championships are the bi-annual qualifier for the USA World Cross Country Team. Wings’ selection process begins in September of the preceding year and concludes during the first half of December. To learn more about how to qualify for the 2025 Wings National Team, visit our 2025 Wings National Team Application.
Program Objectives:
» Select a men and women’s team of Junior student-athletes (ages 14-19) from amongst the Nation’s best Native American runners in the United States.
» Provide selected athletes with comprehensive training guidance as they prepare for USATF National Cross Country Championship competition.
» Provide selected athletes with gear and travel accommodations comparable to those provided by college-level cross country and track & field programs.
» Expose Wings team members to the highest level of competition and athletic opportunity.
» Provide student-athletes with a cross-cultural learning experience which broadens their perspective of the world and fuels their ambitions for the future.
