Recognition of an amazing win streak and an award were given to members of the Hopi High School cross country team at the Dec. 13 meeting of the Navajo County Board of Supervisors.
The Bruins have held the state championship in cross country for the last 27 years, making it the second longest consecutive championship title in any high school sport in the state and fourth in the nation.
In the sport of high school cross country, it is the longest active winning streak of all time.
The board watched a video made by ESPN following the Bruins’ 25th consecutive win. Afterwards each member of the team received a medal in recognition of their achievement.
In the video, Coach Rick Baker said, “There’re two or three teams out there with more titles, but I don’t think they’re consecutive. That’s something we’re pretty proud of.
“What’s your secret? That’s what everybody wants to know. What’s your secret? We’re at about 6,500 feet…and I think it’s part of our secret, up here you’re running hills, sand, mesa,” Baker continued.
“It’s not just getting up there and winning medals or state titles. It’s a way of life for us. Our kids, since they were young, they’ve been developed to be, you know, endurance runners. We have certain ceremonies and different cycles of our Hopi calendar where there are races. They run from the bottom of the mesa all the way to the top, which is about 700 feet, and it’s a pretty tough race. And these races, the whole aspect of it is for prayer, for moisture, for crops,” explained Baker.
Scottsdale Coach Bob Shisler remarked in the video, “That’s always the first thing I look for. Is Hopi in our division? Because if they are, we’re probably trying for second place.”
Later Shisler added, “In a way, it would make your career to be the team that knocks them off for the first time.”
The team, Coach Baker and Assistant Coach Juwan Nuvayokva were praised by the county supervisors for their inspiration and dedication before rushing back to school for impending finals. Hopefully, they breezed through those with the same vigor.
