Wings of America

11/26/2025

🏁Announcing the 37th Wings National Team 📣

We are thrilled to announce the 14 young men and women that have accepted spots to represent Wings in the Gold Division race at the XC Championships in Huntsville, AL on December 6, 2025. As we finalize travel plans for this exceptional crew, we want to say a huge THANK YOU to all the talented young runners from across Indian Country that ran qualifying times at NXR regional races to be considered for selection to our team. All in all, 38 young women and 63 young men threw their name in the hat to be considered for the all-star squad that Wings has been helping since 1988. A list of the young ladies and gentlemen that were offered a spot on the team is posted below and lists of all qualifiers and their seed times can be found HERE:

Ladies: https://drive.google.com/file/d/18r9UB-oR71frBrsKKiwOLGmfegNCSFzi/view?usp=drive_link

Gentlemen: https://drive.google.com/file/d/114v-SM1gNGVCOyjIdP5WL5FKlTU_gbUu/view?usp=drive_link

It is important that we also recognize those that ran seed times fast enough to be offered a spot on the team but chose not to take advantage of the opportunity so they could run a different race, focus on another sport they excel in, or start a much-needed rest period after a long season. Even if it doesn't bring you into the Wings fold, we encourage all young runners to listen to their bodies and ambitions at all times.

We would also like to shout out for sending us enough singlets and pairs of Nike Pegasus 41's to be able to provide everyone that posted a seed time with a new Wings singlet and pair of trainers. If you posted a time to try-out for the team but weren't selected, be on the lookout for an email from our Program Coordinator, Esther Beck, with a survey that will gain you access to the perks mentioned above!

We cannot wait to make our way to Alabama next week to run the FAST loops at the John Hunt XC Park. Thanks to the RunningLane race directors and for welcoming the Wings squad into your race and even providing us a custom team kit to run with the best!

11/21/2025

📣 NATIONAL TEAM ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: ALI UPSHAW

As of right now, Wings is on the road with a group of young Native runners heading to Nike Cross Regionals in Mesa, AZ—where they’ll showcase their talent and compete against some of the best in the Southwest, all with the hope of earning a spot on the Wings National Team.

We’re honored to highlight words of wisdom from our very own Ali Upshaw—an incredible runner and an even more incredible human being on and off the racecourse. Ali hails from the Navajo Nation and currently attends Northern Arizona University (NAU), where she has continued to shine as a collegiate athlete. During her time at NAU, she contributed to one of the strongest women’s distance programs in the country, training and racing alongside nationally recognized athletes and helping elevate the team’s success at the conference and national level.

Ali has made a powerful name for herself in the running world, demonstrating what dedication, cultural pride, and hard work can do. Her resilience and humility show all of us—especially young Native runners—that our identities and communities are sources of strength, and that anything is possible when we commit to our ambitions.

We are extremely proud of Ali—of who she is, who she’s becoming, and the advocate she continues to be for our young people everywhere.

Tune in as we take you along our trip to NXR to cheer on our athletes! And if you are going to NXR Southwest, drive safe and see you there!

11/18/2025

📣 NATIONAL TEAM ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: STELLA HALL

As we are now just 3 days away from NXR Southwest and the National Team application deadline, we’re gearing up to head down to Mesa, Arizona with a group of student-athletes who proudly represent their communities, identities, and purpose.

Stella Hall (Hopi) represented Wings on the ‘23, ‘24, and ‘25 National Team and now competes as a student-athlete at Grand Canyon University, where she continues to push herself with strength and determination — both on the course and in the classroom. Stella carries her community, her values, and her purpose into every race, showing what it means to lead with heart.

Her journey is a reminder that running is more than a sport — it’s connection, identity, and a way to honor those who support us every step of the way.

Tune in this week as we travel with our group to NXR and continue sharing stories from our athletes and alumni.

We’re proud to celebrate Stella and the example she continues to set for the next generation of Native runners. 🪶

10/29/2025

📣 NATIONAL TEAM ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: MADELINE CASTILLO

As we continue our countdown to the application deadline and Nike Cross Regionals, we’re highlighting members of the Wings National Team who continue to lead with pride, dedication, and purpose.

Madeline Castillo (Pueblo of Acoma) is a three-time Wings National Team member (’22, ’23, ’24) and a current student-athlete at the University of North Florida, where she continues to represent her community with strength and heart both on and off the course.

This week, we’ll be featuring Madeline and her journey as she prepares for her conference meet. Be sure to tune in this weekend as she takes over our Instagram and shares what it’s like balancing college running, culture, and purpose.

We’re proud of Madeline and the example she continues to set for the next generation of Native runners ✨

Apply for the 2025 Wings National Team by Nov. 21.

10/28/2025

Join Wings for a special virtual screening of "Remaining Native", featuring 2021 Wings National Team Member, Kutoven Stevens. The documentary (1hr 27min) follows Ku on his quest to use running as a way to "get off" the Yerington Paiute reservation in northern NV and become an Oregon duck. But along the way, running presents a new purpose: bringing awareness to the plight of Native American youth, like his great-grandfather, Frank Quinn, who were taken from their homes and placed in boarding schools across North America. Ku and his family organize a "Remembrance Run" from their home 50 miles over mountains and desert to Stewart Indian School, where his great-grandfather escaped from on foot three times before the age of eight.

After the screening, Ku will join Wings CVO, Dustin Martin, in a virtual conversation to answer questions about where he's at on his running journey today, as well as how the Remembrance Run has continued since the edition profiled in the film.

Thanks to Ku Stevens and the Remaining Nartive production team for making this special screening available to the Wings family! Link to register for the screening & panel: https://kinema.com/events/Remaining-Native-ujdaky

10/23/2025

10/21/2025

📣 NATIONAL TEAM ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: BAHOZHONI CHURCH

Báhozhóni Church (Pokagon Band of Potawatomi/Diné) ran with the 2022 Wings National Team and continues to excel at Grand Valley State University — growing as both an athlete and a leader, while carrying his culture and confidence into every race.

Báhozhóni reminds us that through running, we can celebrate who we are, where we come from, and to carry culture forward with purpose and pride.

We’re proud of Báhozhóni and the path he continues to carve for the next generation of Native runners!

Apply for the 2025 Wings National Team by Nov. 21.

10/17/2025

📣 NATIONAL TEAM ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: KU STEVENS

Ku Stevens (Yerington Paiute Tribe) ran with the 2022 Wings National Team and continues to inspire through his powerful perspective on resilience and responsibility.

“Our past can feel heavy. It can feel like it’s weighing us down, and it’s hard to get past that. It hurts to think about what our people have been through for us to even be here. It’s also empowering to think about all that we’ve been through — all that it took to get us here in this moment. It is our responsibility as young people that are strong and athletic to go out there and share that with the world.”

Ku’s words remind us that running is more than movement — it’s a reflection of strength, history, and healing.

We are proud to celebrate Ku and the light he continues to carry forward for the next generation of Native runners ✨

Apply for the 2025 Wings National Team by Nov. 21.

10/14/2025

📣 NATIONAL TEAM ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: KAMERON EUSTACE

As we begin our countdown for the National Team application deadline, we’re highlighting some of our former Wings National Team members. These individuals represent their communities with pride and continue to excel both on and off the race course.

Kameron Eustace (Zuni Pueblo) ran with the 2022 Wings National Team, worked with us this past summer as a Wings Summer Facilitator, and he currently attends Colorado State University Pueblo, where he continues to do impressive work representing the ThunderWolves both academically and athletically.

Kameron’s journey embodies what Wings stands for — growth, leadership, and giving back. His drive to inspire others through his running and mentorship reminds us that the impact of Wings extends far beyond the finish line.

We are all so proud of Kameron and the example he continues to set for the next generation of Native runners. 🪶

There’s still time to join the next generation of Wings runners.
Apply by Nov. 21.

10/03/2025

Got questions about the Wings National Team? We’ve got answers. 🪶

Swipe through our FAQ to see everything you need to know before the deadline.

⏳ Only 7 weeks left until applications close on Nov. 21.

This is your chance to represent on a national stage. Don’t miss it.

📍 Apply now: https://forms.gle/U5Vo4LWHKPwDM9uZ8

09/04/2025

Announcing the 37th Wings National Team Qualifying (Winter ‘25) Criteria!

Long story short: This season, Wings will sponsor an all-Native team to compete in the Gold Division races at XC Championships in Huntsville, AL on Dec. 6th, 2025.

In order to be considered for this winter’s National Team, high-school aged runners must first complete the free Wings National Team Application by November 21st: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdo4G1o3GogXebf-eox12Y0jqfRjJeMyseRiAyS-C27dJ7hYA/viewform?fbclid=PAVERFWAMmi2VleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABp3Hwdorhs5n9kyZAgvtmAdyC3Ny_5Gj-xOr_YrsrJPD6Z_ztqo8SVf3FqJU3_aem_yOfte8tIJ6SaTVLA_-KyvA

Runners will be selected for the National Team based off seed times posted at Nike Cross Regional races. This requirement is designed to encourage Native runners to experience larger, more-competitive races, while testing their commitment to training/racing beyond the regular XC season.

Once again, Wings will offer registration and travel assistance to Native runners wishing to run a seed time at any Nike Cross Regional race. To qualify for this assistance, girls must post a regular-season 5K time of 21:15 or faster. Boys must run 17:30 or faster. Lodging assistance will be limited this year and will be provided on a first-come-first-served basis. Runners will be provided registration and/or lodging assistance when they have completed the Wings National Team Application AND posted a qualifying 5K time. Lodging assistance is available to runners that reside a two-hour drive or more from their regional qualifying race location.

As we get ready to recruit the next Wings National Team squad, we are also excited to call out to former Wings National Team members and welcome them back into the Wings fold. Those that have worn Wings singlets at National competitions since 1988 have evolved into a diverse force of educators, coaches, lawyers, healthcare professionals, builders, animal caretakers and cultural stewards. It is our aim to reconnect this network to further empower the upcoming generations of talented harriers from across Indian Country to

Look for Wings staff at XC meets across the SW this fall and feel free to reach out to Wings’ Program Coordinator, Esther Beck (esther@wingsofamerica.org) with questions about the qualifying criteria and/or regional race assistance program!