Hopi boys cross country dynasty to be featured on ESPN
ESPN will air a piece on Keams Canyon Hopi's rich boys cross country dynasty on Sunday morning on "SportsCenter" and later in the evening, after its Sunday Night Baseball Game.
The piece, which will provide an inside look at the traditions and coach Rick Baker's methods, is called, "Run Hopi."
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Athletic Director Ricky Greer shared the news with his staff on Wednesday, stating in an email:
"The segment will be about 12-15 minutes long. A 30-minute version of the piece will air at a later date either on E:60 or most likely on SportsCenter Featured. When that date is provided to us, I will pass it along. We are all excited within the athletics department to see the special segment on our Hopi boys and coaches. It is a real honor and will be great to introduce the nation to the great traditions, school and community we have at Hopi."
Hopi won its 26th consecutive state championship in November by 70 points. Baker has been the coach during the entire streak.
The girls' cross county program has won 20 state titles. They won 6 in a row from 89 to 94. Then won 5 more in a row from 96 to 00. Added 2 more in 02 & 03 and then won 7 straight from 07 to 13.
The boys have won state titles every year beginning in 1990. The girls have won a total of 20 state cross country championships, including seven in a row from 2007-13. Harvey Honyouti was coach of the girls' first 14 state title. Laverne Lomakema coached the Hopi girls to five crowns, and Elmer Yazzie to one.
"The SportCenter special is awesome for our Hopi cross country program and the entire Hopi Nation," Baker said. "With it airing just weeks prior to the season starting, it will act as motivation for our team and programs across the nation."
Said Greer: "We hope the segment will show the importance of running within our Hopi culture and way of life while honoring our great coaches and runners here at the school but also the long tradition of great Hopi runners."
Greer shared the ESPN trailer:
