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TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA - Running away with state championships is beginning to be a tradition for Sequoyah High School (SHS). The SHS boys' cross-country team recently won their seventh state championship in school history and their second one in a row.

"I'm very proud of these student athletes," said Chad Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. "They have set a great example of leadership and a tradition of winning for Sequoyah."

The SHS girls' cross-country team also finished strongly, earning second-place.

Five of the SHS teammates were named Oklahoma all-state runners. They were Jeff Elizondo, Ryan Doyeto, Bryan Vann, Mike Holcomb, and Rachel Chouteu.

"I was very happy for the kids," said James Nells, SHS cross-country coach. "They deserved the awards they received. They all worked hard and never gave up even when they were tired. I am proud of them and would like to say thank you to the parents, to the community and school administration for all there support. Next year will be our three-peat."

Sequoyah High School "Home of the Indians!" P.O. Box 520, Tahlequah, OK 74465             Sequoyah High School Alumni P.O. Box 187, Park Hill, OK 74451-0187 Sequoyah High School, an Indian boarding school, originated in 1871, when the Cherokee National Council passed an act setting up an orphan asylum to take care of many orphans that came out of the Civil War. Sequoyah High School's approximate 300 enrollment represents 42 tribes and 14 different states. Students are eligible to attend if they are members of federally recognized Indian tribes or one-fourth blood descendants of such members.