Oscar Bernie (Ihanktowan) is a senior at Marty Indian School in South Dakota

‘Running at the next level’
Three Tribal athletes invited to ‘Down Under Games’ in Australia
By Ernestine Chasing Hawk
Native Sun News Editor
www.nsweekly.com

NORTH LOGAN, Utah –– Three South Dakota tribal athletes may soon be running cross country in the land “Down Under.”

Oscar Bernie, (Ihanktowan) a senior at Marty Indian School in Marty, Ivy Norris (Mnicoujou) from Cheyenne-Eagle Butte High School in Eagle Butte and Tredgan Mestes (Hunkpati) from Crow Creek Tribal School in Fort Thompson were invited to compete in cross country at the “Down Under Games” in Sun City, Australia, June 26 – July 3.

Tredgan Mestes (Hunkpati) is a freshman from Crow Creek Tribal Schools in South Dakota

According to Karen Wyatt, state departure representative and recruiter for the “Down Under Games,” 200 runners from across the U.S., six students from each state, are selected to participate based on their state and regional cross country standings as well as their academic achievement. Down Under” corporate offices are located in North Logan, Utah.

Oscar Bernie, son of Rachael Bernie, spent his early childhood years in Virginia before returning to South Dakota. He attended elementary school in Sioux Falls where he first took an interest in sports.

Read the rest of the story on the all new Native Sun News website: ‘Running at the next level’

(Ernestine Chasing Hawk can be reached at editor@nsweekly.com)

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