Wings National Team
The Wings National Team provides Native high school runners with access to national-level competition, mentorship, and leadership development. Athletes are selected through an application process and receive support with travel, race entry, and gear to compete at major cross country events.
While competition is a key component, the program goes beyond running. Athletes engage in team-building experiences, wellness practices, and cultural grounding that strengthen identity, resilience, and connection. The National Team creates a space where youth can challenge themselves, represent their communities, and grow both on and off the course.
2026 wings national team
Wings of America will sponsor a team of the fastest high-school-aged Native American runners to compete at the 2026 New Balance Running Lane XC Championships. Seven young men and seven young women will represent the organization in the “gold division” races on December 5, 2026 in Huntsville, AL. Selected runners will have the unique opportunity to race in a nationally-seeded 5-kilometer race with a field of 300+ competitors on a course built exclusively for cross country. With the help of Wings and their high school coaches, these student-athletes will train beyond the regular season to stay in shape for running competition.
selection criteria
Runners will be selected for the team based on their performance at post-season Nike Cross Regional races. After an open registration period in which runners may identify themselves as eligible for selection, those with the 7 fastest regional qualifying times, men and women, will be invited to be a part of the Wings National Team. The deadline to register for selection is November 22, 2026 @ 11:59pm- no exceptions. To register for selection, please click here. After selection, the Wings staff will move quickly to book travel for selected runners and ensure they are properly outfitted for competition.
regional Qualifying races
NXR Heartland Regional Sioux Falls, South Dakota (Sunday, November 15, 2026)
States include: IA, KS, MN, NE, ND, SD, WI
NXR Midwest Regional Terre Haute, Indiana (Sunday, November 15, 2026)
States include: IN, IL, OH, MI, MO
NXR Northeast Wappingers Falls, New York (Saturday, November 21, 2026)
States include: NJ, NY, PA, CT, MA, ME, VT, RI, NH
NXR Southwest Regional Mesa, Arizona (Saturday, November 21, 2026)
States include: AZ, CO, NM, NV, UT
NXR Northwest Regional Spokane, WA (Saturday, November 21, 2026)
States include: AK, HI, ID, MT, OR, WA, WY
NXR South Regional College Station, Texas (Sunday, November 22, 2026)
States include: AR, LA, OK, TX, MS
NXR Southeast Regional Cary, North Carolina (Sunday, November 22, 2026)
States include: DE, MD, VA, NC, SC, GA, FL, AL, TN, KY, WV, DC
Wings provides promising student-athletes race registration assistance to attend their regional qualifying race. This year Wings staff and student-athletes needing transportation will travel to Nike Cross Southwest Regional in Mesa, AZ on November 20-21st, 2026. Dozens of others will make the trip with their families, and are invited to a pre-race dinner hosted by Wings. Sorry, the organization does not have the capacity to provide travel assistance to runners in regions outside the southwest.
regional race assistance
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
-Travel to NXR SW Race (for runners with parents/guardians unable to take them to the regional race)
To receive NXR Regional race assistance, runners must meet the following standards:
- Finish at or below the qualifying time in at least one (5K) race during the 2026 high school cross country season.
- Boys: 17:30
- Girls: 21:15
- **If your state races a distance other than 5K, please contact Wings for a qualifying time**
- Complete the 2026 Wings National Team Application.
- Submit a grade check form and class schedule. (For those wishing to travel with Wings to NXR SW)
- Must be in good academic standing (C average or better in each class) to receive assistance.
- Must be able to meet the Wings van enroute from Albuquerque to “The Valley” the morning of Friday, November 20th.
- 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.
National TEam History
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 36 national titles since their debut in 1988.
Questions? Contact Dustin Martin, Chief Visionary Officer
Ph: (505) 977-5057 Email: dustin@wingsofamerica.org