12/29/2009 3:48:00 PM Wings of America announces 2010 regional XC team
Wings courtesy photo
From left to right: Rolonda Jumbo, Charnelle Curley, Felicia James, Marlinda Pecos and Tamara Lementino. Not pictured is Dianne DeBoise.
Wings courtesy photo
From left to right: Troy Madalena, Justin Lueras, Eric Markham, Lucien Corriveau, Johnathan Yazzie and Patrick Lueras.
Submitted by Delight Talawepi Special to the Observer
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - The Wings of America USAXC National Cross Country Team has been selected from top placing runners at the Wings National race held in Albuquerque, N.M. on Dec. 19. Regional winners from the Southern Plains, Northern Plains and Southwest divisions competed in the national race. The six male and six female team members will compete against junior cross country runners in the USA Track and Field National Junior Cross Country Championships in Spokane, Wash. on Feb. 13.
Regional races were open to all American Indian runners ages 14-19 in good academic standing. Race distances were 8K for males and 6K for females. Team members will compete at the same distances during the championships.
Regional competitors were the guests at a pre-race dinner Friday evening hosted by Native Health Initiative at the Albuquerque home of Anthony and Shannon Fleg. Felicia Guiliford, volunteer women's coach for the 2010 USA Cross Country Championships, was the motivational speaker.
Female winners are: first place, Rolonda Jumbo (Navajo) 24.22; second place, Charnelle Curley (Navajo) 24.47; third place, Tamara Lementino (Zuni Pueblo) 25.45; fourth place, Marlinda Pecos (Jemez Pueblo) 25.49; fifth place, Felicia James (Navajo) 27.06; sixth place, Dianne Duboise (Navajo) 28.28 and seventh place alternate, Kiana Gachupin (Zuni Pueblo) 29.17.
Male winners are: first place, Patrick Lueras (Zuni Pueblo) 28.49; second place, Troy Madalena (Jemez Pueblo/Navajo) 29.00; third place, Johnathan Yazzie (Navajo) 29.03; fourth place, Justin Lueras (Zuni Pueblo) 29.51; fifth place, Lucien Corriveau (Apache) 30.26; sixth place, Eric Markham (Seminole-Creek) 30.57 and seventh place alternate, Kyle Rockbridge (Navajo) 30.58.
Team members will receive an all expenses paid trip to the Spokane event, after paying a processing fee. Winners were presented with award certificates by Wings founder Will Channing and board member Paul Fragua (Jemez Pueblo) at a post-race pizza party.
