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TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA - James Nells, track and cross-country coach at Sequoyah High School, has been chosen to coach a men's all-Indian cross-country team at the USA Winter National Cross Country Championships in Houston, Texas, February 15-16.

"This selection is a tremendous honor for Mr. Nells," said Tony Pivec, Sequoyah High School superintendent. "We are extremely proud of him and our running program. James is an exceptional coach with a history of success unmatched in the area."

Wings of America, based in Santa Fe, New Mexico, sponsors the all Indian team every year and is responsible for choosing the runners and the coaches. This is the third year that Nells has been chosen to coach the team. The first team that Nells coached in this competition took first place in 2001, and his 2002 team trailed closely and finished in second place. He is already looking forward to another championship.

"I am very excited," Nells said. "I believe we've got a very good chance at being national champs again."

Nells has been active with the Wings of America program for many years by helping to recruit outstanding high school runners from Oklahoma for the all-Indian team.

Team members and coaches receive an all expense paid trip to Houston, Texas courtesy of Wings of America and the Nike Corporation. Event planners schedule some time for the students to go sightseeing and experience the things that the hosting town has to offer.

"I don't know yet what is planned, but they always plan a nice weekend for the kids," Nells said.

Nells has one runner returning from last year's team and one runner representing Oklahoma. His team members are Jonathan Harmon of Halbrook, Arizona, Forest Tahdooahnippah of St. Paul, Minnesota, Justin Marcet of Rose Glen, South Dakota, Patrick Grass of Pine Ridge, South Dakota, William Smallwood of Spokane, Washington, and Marshal Medicinebear of Watonga, Oklahoma.

The top six runners in each division of the USA Winter National Cross Country Championships will advance on to represent the USA team in the World Cross Country Championships in March.

Nells has coached at Sequoyah High School since 1997. He attended high school at an Indian boarding school in Fort Wingate, New Mexico. After his high school graduation, he went on to serve in the United States Army and graduate from Haskell University and Central State University where he was a member of both of the school's track teams. Nells and wife Daisy have seven children, and four of his children have graduated from Sequoyah High School.

Nells and this year's Wings Of America team will compete in Houston, Texas, February 15 & 16.

Mike Miller, Cherokee Nation Director of Communications Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2210) Fax: 918-458-5580 E-mail: Communications@cherokee.org Larry Daugherty, Advertising Manager Cherokee Nation - Public Affairs Phone 918-456-0671 (Ex.2324) E-mail: ldaugherty@cherokee.org

Bradley D. Peak, Natural Resources Specialist, Cherokee Nation E-mail: bpeak@cherokee.org Phone: 918-456-0671 (ex.2843) Cherokee Nation, Oklahoma Attn: (Department Name) P.O. Box 948, Tahlequah, OK 74465 Telephone: 918-456-0671 (Toll Free OK) 1-800-256-0671