By NB3 Foundation

NB3FIT cross country has strong showing at state

NB3FIT runners had plenty to be proud of at the 2026 USATF New Mexico Association Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships. From first-place finishes to personal progress built over the season, the meet was a chance to celebrate how far the youth have come.

Tobias Loretto won the boys 8-and-under 2K in 8:07.6, and Jillian Calabaza won the girls 9–10 3K in 11:38.7, both with personal bests. In the boys 15–18 5K, Christopher Nastacio, Martin Sandoval and Colton Muskett swept the top three spots, with Nathan Calabaza and Domingo Chavez also finishing in the top 10.

Lilliana Tsethlikai led NB3FIT in the girls 15–18 5K, placing second with a personal best of 22:23.6. Janaka Townsend finished fourth, and Savannah Sangre placed 10th. The girls 8-and-under A team earned second place, led by Daisy Sanchez’s sixth-place finish, while the B team placed fifth.

In the girls 13–14 race, Keilani Mcculley placed seventh, Avielle Carlisle finished 10th and Ariana Vigil took 11th. Gage Shendo ran a personal best to finish 12th in the boys 8-and-under race.

Beyond the results, many of our runners made significant strides of their own this season. Building confidence, finding their pace and sticking with something challenging are accomplishments worth celebrating, too. We’re proud of the work our youth put in and grateful to the coaches and families who have been there for them along the way.

The season continues for many of our NB3FIT youth who will head to the USATF Region 10 Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships on Saturday, Nov. 14, at Monument Valley North End Park in Colorado Springs, Colorado. All youth who competed at state are eligible to participate in regionals.

Congratulations to all our runners, and let’s keep cheering them on!

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By NB3 Foundation

Youth take on the Traditions Run

Youth runners took on hills, sand and rugged trails at this year’s NB3 Foundation Traditions Run at Black Mesa Casino in San Felipe Pueblo. Families, coaches and teammates cheered them on as they made their way through the challenging high-desert course.

Hosted by NB3 Foundation, the free event included a USATF-sanctioned meet for local running clubs and welcomed all youth runners, whether they belonged to a team or were running on their own. It offered Native youth and youth from surrounding communities a chance to compete and enjoy a day of running together.

NB3 Foundation is grateful to San Felipe Pueblo for welcoming the event into its community and helping make this opportunity available to all youth runners.

The day also marked the end of the inaugural NB3 Foundation Cross Country League season. Created to bring more sports opportunities to elementary schools, the league registered 135 runners, with more than 100 participating each week from six schools: Hemish Immersion School, Placitas Elementary, Algodones Elementary, San Ildefonso Day School, Santo Domingo Schools and San Felipe Pueblo School.

“It was great to see their times improve and their confidence grow throughout the season,” said NB3FIT Asssistant, Simona Casiquito. “Seeing school teams cheer each other on along the course and through the finish line was a highlight, too.”

Thank you to the runners, families, tribal leaders, schools, coaches, tribal departments and volunteers who helped make Traditions Run and the league’s first season possible.

Results
https://www.athletic.net/CrossCountry/meet/277352/info

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By NB3 Foundation

A new chapter for NB3FIT Basketball: Meet Jacob White Horse

NB3 Foundation is excited to welcome Jacob White Horse, Rosebud Sioux Tribe and Northern Chumash, as our new NB3FIT Basketball Specialist.

Jacob brings collegiate and professional basketball experience spanning five countries, along with a master’s degree in education and a bachelor’s degree in Native American studies. His passion for the game and commitment to youth development will help guide the next chapter of NB3FIT Basketball.

For Jacob, joining the program is a full-circle moment. Growing up with limited access to basketball camps and leagues, he understands how meaningful these opportunities can be for young people. He’s excited to help youth develop their skills, build confidence and grow both on and off the court. Through basketball, he hopes to teach life skills and help youth see what’s possible through sports and education.

As we welcome Jacob, we also extend our gratitude to Janeé Bates for the foundation she helped build for NB3FIT Basketball. We look forward to continuing those strong relationships with youth, families and communities and keeping the program a welcoming place to learn, play and grow.

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By NB3 Foundation

Meet NB3FIT’s U13 Strikers

 

For the NB3FIT U13 soccer team, The Strikers, success this season is about more than what happens on the scoreboard. It is showing up in the friendships being formed, the confidence growing among players and the way teammates are learning to support one another on and off the field.

The Strikers are currently competing in the Northwest Rio Grande Soccer League this fall, with matches in the Albuquerque and Rio Rancho areas. The season is giving players an opportunity to compete together, continue developing their skills and take on tournament opportunities along the way.

After six weeks together, NB3FIT Soccer Specialist Coach Autumn Quiver has already seen those relationships take shape.

“What has stood out to me the most is the genuine friendships that are being built and displayed both on and off the field,” Quiver said. “When mistakes are made, they are quick to comfort each other and move forward rather than criticize. When someone gets hurt, they immediately check on them and make sure they are OK.”

The players are also putting in the work. They come to practice ready to learn and improve, and that effort has helped the team start its season with a 2-0 record.

But just as important as developing soccer skills is creating an environment where youth have the opportunity to play.

For youth living in rural communities, access to grass fields and soccer facilities can be limited. NB3FIT wants youth to know those barriers do not have to prevent them from discovering a new sport or pursuing something they enjoy.

“We provide a space where youth can explore the sport without feeling like they need to have prior experience or access to expensive facilities,” Quiver said. “We utilize the resources available to us and show our players that there is always a way to make things work.”

Through a partnership with the Tamaya Wellness Center, the team practices on a grass baseball field. Coaches paint a soccer field onto the outfield, giving players the opportunity to practice on a regulation-size field while learning field markings, positioning and the rules of the game.

Developing strong relationships is intentionally built into each practice. Coaches incorporate team-building activities that encourage communication, trust and teamwork.

Each practice also ends with “Team Time,” when players come together for check-ins and questions that allow them to share what is happening in their lives and learn more about one another.

“Creating these moments is important to us because we want our players to know that we care about them as individuals first,” Quiver said. “Their growth, relationships and well-being matter to us far beyond the score on the scoreboard or our team record.”

That connection has become visible in the small moments. Players notice when a teammate is missing. They check on one another when someone gets hurt. Practices are filled with varying personalities and a lot of laughter.

Quiver believes creating that environment makes the team stronger on the field, too.

“When players feel valued, supported and connected to one another, they are able to work together and grow as a team,” she said.

As the season continues, Quiver hopes the youth walk away with much more than improved soccer skills.

“I hope they gain a genuine love for the game, a sense of belonging and friendships,” she said. “I also hope they see their coaches as another source of support in their lives, people they can count on both on and off the field and who believe in them.”

For now, there is plenty of soccer still to be played and plenty of room for the team to grow. Quiver is looking forward to seeing who the players become along the way.

“Playing sports is about more than just staying active,” she said. “It is an opportunity for them to build relationships, learn from one another and connect with other youth from different backgrounds and experiences. I hope they embrace these opportunities and carry these connections with them beyond the soccer field.”

Roster | Strikers 
Keshawn Reano — Kewa Pueblo
Kimimila Himel — Standing Rock Sioux Tribe of North & South Dakota
Rodriquez Mackall — Pueblo of San Felipe
Emma Ansera — Pueblo of San Felipe
Shiyanna Masawiestewa — Pueblo of Santa Ana
Albert Quiver — Kewa Pueblo/Pueblo of San Felipe
Dunte Elleby  — Colorado River Indian Tribes of the Colorado River Indian Reservation, Arizona and California
Aubrey Quiver — Pueblo of San Felipe
Tinpsila Gourd-Mackin (Captain) — Spirit Lake Tribe, North Dakota
Joseph Stansbury (Captain) — Hispanic/Latino
Logan Meese — Navajo Nation
Mateo Brown — Pueblo of Jemez
Francisco Brown — Pueblo of Jemez

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By NB3 Foundation

Making strides: NB3 Foundation XC league brings races to elementary schools

 

For many elementary students, school sports are limited or unavailable. The new NB3FIT cross country league is giving them a chance to run, be part of a team and spend more time being active with their classmates.

Six schools are participating in the NB3FIT Cross Country League’s first season, with more than 100 students competing each week: Hemish Immersion School, Placitas Elementary, Algodones Elementary, San Ildefonso Day School, Santo Domingo Schools and San Felipe Pueblo School.

The league was created to make sports more accessible to younger students, who can be overlooked when school athletic programs focus on middle school grades. It also gives students a way to use their energy after school and build healthy habits with support from their schools and communities.

The league is separate from the established NB3FIT Running Club, which competes in USA Track & Field-sanctioned races. For league meets, NB3FIT staff work with each host school to set up the course, time runners and manage the race. Schools help with volunteers, space and course preparation. That arrangement gives schools a way to offer cross country without asking teachers and staff to organize an entire meet.

NB3FIT’s lead running specialist also held a training for school coaches to help them teach the fundamentals of the sport. League races take place Friday afternoons, allowing teachers and staff who volunteer to keep their weekends free.

The inaugural season is expected to include five to six races. Its championship race will be part of NB3 Foundation Traditions Run, following the USA Track & Field races in which the NB3FIT Running Club competes.

NB3FIT hopes to welcome more schools next season and add races as participation grows. Schools interested in joining can contact Clint Begay at Clint@nb3f.org to discuss how they can take part. NB3FIT also plans to offer basketball this winter and soccer in the spring.

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By NB3 Foundation

NB3FIT runners open cross country season

 

 

 

The NB3FIT Running Club opened its cross country season Saturday with 115 runners participating across all age groups.

The 8-and-under girls team and the 9-10 boys team both earned third-place team finishes.

Runners train at eight practice sites, from Dulce to Acoma. The youngest age groups remain the largest, while participation among older runners continues to grow. It’s encouraging to see youth return to the program and continue running as they get older.

The season is supported by 26 coaches, 22 of whom are volunteers. Their commitment makes it possible for youth across our communities to practice close to home and come together on race day.

The team heads to the Running Medicine’s race this weekend. Hear from our lead coach in the accompanying video, and follow along as our runners build on their first race throughout the season.

Video : Cross County Preview with NB3FIT Run Club Lead, Jennie Holmes 

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By NB3 Foundation

Meet the coaches helping lead the NB3FIT Cross Country program!

Our Meet the Coaches series highlights the dedicated community members helping NB3FIT runners build confidence, strengthen their skills and enjoy the sport in a way that keeps them excited to return each season. This season there are practice sites based in seven different communities. Learn more about the coaches who are preparing our youth for the season!


Jennie Holmes | Pueblos of Sandia and Isleta
For the past five years, Jennie has overseen the NB3FIT Running Club, supporting coaches and families by providing curriculum and practice plans while managing the logistical and administrative side of the program. Her work helps ensure coaches can focus on running and positive youth development. While educational commitments required her to step back from coaching over the past couple of years, she is excited to return in full action this season. She looks forward to reconnecting with athletes and families, strengthening relationships and continuing to grow the NB3FIT running community.


Carley Tafoya  | Jicarilla Apache Nation, Dulce, NM
Coach Tafoya, or Coach T, is from a small community in northern New Mexico near the southern Colorado border. This is her second year coaching cross country with NB3FIT. Coach T began running as a young child and continues to run recreationally. She got back into running when her daughter, Rhylee, wanted to join both cross country and track and field with the NB3FIT team. Coach Tafoya looks forward to continuing to build positive connections between running and culture, which she sees as one of the greatest strengths of the NB3FIT program. She invites youth from Dulce to join the NB3FIT team, make new friends, gain experience and, most importantly, have fun while building their running skills. Coach T can’t wait to see you out there!

Kelly Raton | Pueblo of Santa Ana
Kelly has been coaching cross country and track and field with NB3FIT for the past couple of years. She joined the coaching team through a collaboration between the Tamaya Wellness Center to help support youth and build strong relationships within the Pueblo. Although Kelly had no prior running experience before becoming a coach, she has enjoyed learning alongside other NB3FIT coaches and growing her knowledge of the sport. Coaching has given her another opportunity to create a safe and supportive space where youth can build trust, whether they are experienced runners or trying the sport for the first time. One of Kelly’s favorite parts of coaching is watching athletes grow in confidence from their first race to their last and seeing the encouragement and support they give one another throughout the season.

Michael Gutierrez | Pueblo of Sandia
Michael is entering his first season coaching cross country with NB3FIT. What started as a fitness journey three years ago has now become an outlet to community, friendship and mental health. He has raced multiple half marathons, 10Ks, and 5Ks, developing a strong passion for endurance running and training. This fall, he will take on his first marathon and a 50K. Running has had a tremendous impact on Michael’s physical and mental well-being, and he is excited to share his passion and knowledge of the sport with the youth in his community. In his first season of coaching, he looks forward to helping young runners build confidence, challenge themselves, and discover what they are capable of both on and off the course.

Natalie Arellanez | Pueblo of Acoma

Natalie was a high school athlete in both cross country and track and field. As an adult, she continued her love of running, training on her own and completing marathons (26.2 miles!). She plans to complete three marathons to match her baba, a Marine who completed three marathons himself. “Coach Nat” has coached with NB3FIT Cross Country and Track & Field for the past four years. She looks forward to seeing returning runners each season and watching them grow in confidence, ambition and social skills. She’s also excited to welcome new runners and families to the program.

For Natalie, NB3FIT is more than sports. It’s an amazing community-based program rooted in culture, with coaches who bring that commitment into the way they support and encourage each athlete.


Jamell Sanchez | Pueblo of San Felipe

Jamell joined the NB3 Foundation coaching team in 2024. A recent graduate of Southwestern College, he earned All-KCAC Academic and All-NAIA Academic honors and was named a KCAC Champion of Character three times. He has been running for 16 years, with one of his favorite highlights being a win in the Open B race at the Metro Championships. He also brings three years of coaching experience to the team.

This season, he’s looking forward to coaching cross country and reconnecting with the athletes as they continue to grow, improve and gain confidence in the sport.


 Shane Benally | Navajo Nation

Coach Shane was born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and currently lives in Santa Fe. His family is from Klagetoh, Arizona, on the Navajo Nation. He works as an optometrist at Santo Domingo Health Center and will be coaching at the Kewa site this season.

He has been running recreationally since 2020, with highlights including the St. Jude Half Marathon in Memphis, Tennessee, and completing the Duke City Marathon in 2025. Coach Shane is looking forward to his second season coaching with NB3FIT Cross Country and helping young runners build confidence, enjoy the sport and realize they’re capable of more than they might think.


Jared Lesansee | Pueblos of Jemez and Zuni

Coach Jared has been running for more than 20 years, starting in middle school and continuing through all four years of high school cross country, college club competition and five marathons. Now in his seventh year of coaching runners, they also bring experience as a former high school head cross country coach. This will be Jared’s fourth season coaching NB3FIT Cross Country.

This season, he is looking forward to creating more opportunities for connection and strengthening relationships between coaches and runners, as well as among teammates.

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By NB3 Foundation

Beyond the finish line: Eli’s big catch

At 10 years old, Eli Light-Chee is always up for an adventure, whether he’s running a race, throwing a javelin or reeling in a big catch.

Eli has been part of NB3FIT Running Club since 2022, competing in cross country and track and field. He runs the 800 and 1,500 meters, throws the javelin and is already a three-time national Junior Olympic cross country competitor.

However,  running is only one of the ways Eli stays active. He also plays baseball and basketball and enjoys trips to the skate park. Eli’s love for the outdoors extends beyond running. An avid fisherman, he enjoys spending time on the water and connecting with the outdoors in another way.  This summer, Eli’s time on the water paid off

A massive catch at Cochiti Lake earned him a spot on the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Weekly Wall of Fame. He was also featured in the department’s Aug. 6 fishing and stocking report.

Beyond everything he accomplishes, Eli is simply a great kid to have in our programs. He is kind, hardworking and brings a big heart to everything he does. He is always ready with a smile and has a way of making the people around him smile, too.

We’re proud to watch Eli continue to grow, try new things and have fun along the way. Keep it up, Eli!

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By NB3 Foundation

NB3FIT track and field team sends record number of athletes to regionals

The NB3FIT Track and Field team closed one of its strongest seasons to date with standout performances at the state championships, where athletes qualified for regionals and earned personal bests across multiple events.

This season, 120 athletes representing 26 tribal communities participated in the program, making it the largest team in NB3FIT history. At the state meet, the team entered 15 relay teams and more than 220 individual events. Athletes recorded more than 100 personal records, and 51 athletes qualified for the USATF Region 10 Championships by finishing in the top four of their events.

The team continued its success in distance races, breaking season and all-time NB3FIT records in the 800-, 1,500- and 3,000-meter runs. Strong performances also came in sprints, relays, jumps and throws, reflecting the growth of the program across every event group.

Among the top finishers were Brayden Fragua (Pueblo of Jemez), who placed second in the 1,500-meter run and third in the 800-meter run; LauRen Correa (Pueblo of Acoma and Pueblo of Isleta), who finished second in the 800-meter run; Akira Toya (Navajo Nation and Pueblo of Jemez), who earned second in the 800-meter run and fourth in the long jump; and Christopher Nastacio (Pueblo of San Felipe), who placed second in the javelin and third in the discus.

NB3FIT relay teams also had a strong showing. The 11-12 boys 4×100-meter relay team and the 11-12 girls 4×400-meter relay team each captured state titles. Several other relay teams earned top-four finishes, contributing to the team’s overall success.

The program also saw continued growth in its older age divisions, creating more opportunities for leadership and mentorship among athletes while strengthening the team’s culture and sense of community.

The season continues July 9-11 at the USATF Region 10 Championships in El Paso, Texas. NB3FIT will send its largest group of regional qualifiers to date as athletes compete for the opportunity to advance to the national championships.

Hasbah SilentWalker (Pueblo of San Felipe, Navajo Nation), 9-10 girls, 6th javelin
Sekwoya Bradford (Navajo Nation) 8and Under girls, 5th- long jump
Akira Toya (Navajo Nation, Pueblo of Jemez), 9-10 girls, 4th- long jump

Relay Teams  
8 and under Boys -3rd- 4×100
Myles Lujan, Gary Gonzales, Skylar Vallo, Eli Gonzales
8 and Under boys- 4th- 4×100
Michael Lovato, Lehi Silentwalker, Augustine Elias-Bonilla, Marlin Coriz
9-10 boys 4th- 4×100
Levi Toya, Davin Toledo, Theo Jones, Manto Silva
11-12 boys 1st-4×100
Jaxon Roach, Jacoby Reano, Caleb Gonzales, Ozias Werito
13-14 boys 3rd- 4×400
Aiden Nguyen, Jayden Toledo, Detric Levato, Brayden Fragua
8 and under girls 4×100
Sekwoya Bradford, Leia Roach, Marley Tenequer, Daisy Sanchez
9-10 girls 3rd 4×100
Torianna Pena, Mia Tenorio, Riley Campbell, Akira Toya
11-12 girls 2nd 4×100
Camila Smith, McKenna Saiz, Lileia Shendo, Addison Tosa
11-12 girls 3rd 4×100
Paisley DeRoin Silva, Emmarina Wright, Mia Sims, Nellie Silentwalker
11-12 girls 1st 4×400
Rozalyn Jojola, Jasilyn Reano, Emma Sanchez, NicoleRey Arellanez
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By NB3 Foundation

NB3FIT summer trainings strengthen support for Native youth

To kick off the summer, the NB3 Foundation hosted two NB3FIT Summer Training sessions, bringing together more than 50 coaches, youth workers, volunteers and summer interns from Native communities across New Mexico. Participants represented organizations and programs from the Pueblo of Jemez, Pueblo of San Ildefonso, Pueblo of San Felipe, Santa Fe Indian School, Pueblo of Santa Ana, Project Venture, UNM and, of course, NB3FIT programs, including golf, tennis, volleyball and summer recreation initiatives.

The trainings were rooted in Native Joy and focused on preparing participants to create safe, positive and culturally relevant environments for youth. Through hands-on activities and practical skill-building, coaches strengthened their ability to build trust and healthy relationships, navigate behavior challenges, set appropriate boundaries, lead engaging activities and communicate effectively with parents and caregivers. Participants also explored personal and professional development goals while strengthening their understanding of Native-centered youth programming.

One highlight of the trainings was watching coaches and summer workers step into leadership roles by facilitating games, icebreakers and youth activities for their peers. The energy, enthusiasm and commitment shown by both first-time youth workers and experienced professionals demonstrated the strength of our Native communities and the dedication they bring to serving the next generation.

These trainings directly support NB3 Foundation’s mission by equipping those who work with Native youth with evidence-informed tools and culturally grounded approaches that foster health, belonging, positive relationships and safe experiences. Every trained coach, mentor and youth worker expands our collective ability to create environments where Native youth can thrive.

A special thank you to Positive Coaching Alliance for partnering with us to strengthen coaching culture and help ensure a safe, fun and impactful summer for Native youth.

To learn more about NB3FIT trainings, reach out to Clint Begay, director of NB3FIT at Clint@nb3f.org

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