(Ethete, WY) – Wyoming Indian held its yearly Chiefs Nation Cross Country Invitational Saturday in Ethete. Before the races, the course was dedicated in a ceremony to former Wyoming Indian Cross Country coach Leo ‘Chico’ Her Many Horses.
Her Many Horses, who is the father of current cross country Coach Caleb Her Many Horses, had an illustrious coaching career at Wyoming Indian, guiding his teams to 12 state championships in 13 years of coaching, along with 12 coach of the year awards.
Her Many Horses incorporated students’ Native heritage into of his coaching strategy.
“When I came around in 1990 we started making our team prideful of their heritage,” said Her Many Horses. “I’d tell the kids to think of all of the hard things we (Native people) had to do to get to get here, and all they had to do was run 800 meters.”
When asked how he felt about the course now bearing his name, Her Many Horses said, “It’s a little weird. I’m not the one who ran, so it’s the kids on those teams who deserve the credit… I just wanted to make sure they knew I was there for them all the time.”
The race, which is usually one of the most well-attended mid-season races in the state, only had 7 teams racing due to other races held in the area in the days prior. Light cloud cover and a slight gust of wind rolled in for race time during the dedication to Her Many Horses, creating more ideal conditions on an otherwise hot September day in Ethete.
Dai’Onna Posey won the girls’ race handily over Wind River’s Olivia Remacle, who came in second by 50 seconds.
In the boys’ race, Thermopolis’ Jadeth elder won for the second year in a row, beating out Wyoming Indian sophomore Kaiden Moss in 2nd and Colton SunRhodes in 4th.
For complete results, click here.
Kaycee McCabe made his way to the halfway mark in Ethete Saturday. Colton SunRhodes made hs way through the first half of the course Saturday in Ethete. Leo ‘Chico’ Her Many Horses was surrounded by family at the dedication of the Wyoming Indian Cross Country course Saturday before the racing. Her Many Horses changed running culture at Wyoming Indian during his tenure winning 12 state championships in 13 years. Chico Her Many Horses shook hands over students who paid their respects to their cross country course now bearing his name. Chico Her Many Horses waved to the audience gathered as the Wyoming Indian Cross Country Course was named after him in a ceremony Saturday morning. h/t Carl Cote Wind River took second place in the varsity girls race Saturday. The varsity girls made their way up the biggest hill on Leo ‘Chico’ Her Many Horses race course Saturday at the Chiefs Nation Invitational. A line formed to pay respect to Chico Her Many Horses as the course was named after him Saturday in Ethete. Tristan Her Many Horses gave her grandfather Chico a hug at the end of the course dedication ceremony in Ethete Saturday. Chico Her Many Horses got a hug from his son Sam at the course dedication ceremony Saturday morning. h/t Carl Cote
h/t Carl Cote, County 10