'Go to the next level'

 

T he Navajo Times fall sports banquet was highlighted on Monday by the keynote speech of local returning star Felicia Guliford.

In her address, Guliford urged the 150 area athletes in attendance to strive for a college education and to pursue success after high school whether it be athletic or academic.

Guliford, a standout at Gallup High from 1998 to 2002 in cross country and track and field, went on to win accolades as a runner for Division I college Tennessee, where she was an All-America in track and field in 2005. Guliford was also named to the Southeastern Conference academic honor roll from 2003 to '07.

After earning her bachelor's degree in biochemistry and molecular biology, Guliford returned to Gallup, where she is teaching chemistry at the new Miyamura High School and where she just finished her first season as cross-country coach.

As a coach, Guliford works with Native Americans every day, and one issue she has faced is the general dearth of Native Americans competing in sports at the collegiate level.

"We are all successful here in this room," Guliford said at the banquet. "But why are we stopping here? Why are you not challenging yourself to go to the next level?"

Guliford said that in her short time as coach she came across an interesting answer to that question from her athletes: fear - a fear of leaving their homes on the reservation and going to places that are foreign where they will be on their own. Fear of losing culture and traditions when home is left behind. Fear of stepping out of a comfort zone.

"But the number one fear is the fear of success," Guliford said. "Once you've gone to that next level you can't go back to competing the way you did before, at the level you did before. Now you have to maintain this new, higher level. That is the fear.

"And for some, it destroys the will to even try."

Guliford went on to challenge the attendees to break through that fear barrier and to hunger for success.

"Once you set high expectations, others in your group will follow," she said.

For some athletes, such as Donavon Jim of Gallup High, college is indeed part of future plans.

Jim, a senior who finished in 5th at the New Mexico Class 5A cross-country championships in November, said he is looking at Haskell University in Kansas, as well as Utah Valley University as potential places to continue his athletic and academic careers.

Jim has also upped his training to get ready for collegiate athletics.

"I'm doing mile repeats now - my coach tells me that's how they train in college, and so far that's been tough," Jim said.

Academically Jim is looking to pursue his passion in cars and perhaps majoring in automotive technology.

Chantal Kescoli, the Navajo Times volleyball player of the year from Kayenta Monument Valley, said she has gotten interest from small colleges in the Phoenix area and plans to go there for tryouts next year.

The coach of South Mountain Community College has asked Kescoli to try out, but Kescoli is also interested in the University of Arizona in Tucson and the University of New Mexico where she would attempt to make the team as a walk-on.

Academically Kescoli is looking to continue her connection with sports by studying kinesiology or athletic training.

In girls' cross country, Chantel Hunt of Navajo Pine High, a senior, won runner of the year honors.

Coach of the year went to Navajo Pine High coach Tim Host.

In boys' cross country, two runners won co-runner of the year honors - Ryan Yazzie of Tuba City and Dustin Walthall of Thoreau. Coach of the year went to Rick Baker of Hopi High.

In girls' soccer, Adele Nez of Albuquerque Academy won player of the year.

Joe Weber of St. Michael won boys player of the year award. St. Michael coach Eddie Weber won Navajo Times coach of the year honors for soccer.

In volleyball, Kescoli won player of the year honors. Kescoli's coach at Kayenta Monument Valley, Lucinda Nash, was honored as coach of the year.

In football, Jeff Belin of Kirtland Central High won offensive player of the year honors. Wyatt Dewitt of Winslow High was awarded defensive player of the year honors. Kirtland Central coach Charles Gleghorn was awarded as the Navajo Times football coach of the year.

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