by By Dan Ninham (Oneida)
“No matter where you come from riches to rags. As long as you work at a dream and a goal you’ll become better. Don’t worry it wasn’t easy when we all started, the support wasn’t there, the fame wasn’t there, you just have to work for it. There’s no easy way to it. I’ve definitely strived for greatness being a Navajo Mexican on the reservation especially not coming from much financially. I had the support of parents and family, but I had to show the community I needed their support too.”
These are the words of elite runner Santiago Hardy. He is the number one runner and a junior on the University of Antelope Valley Pioneers Cross Country Team.
Santiago recently placed third at the California Pacific Conference (CalPac) Men’s Cross Country Championship in Fresno on November 1st. His time of 25:14 was two seconds ahead of fourth place finisher and teammate Jaiven Hale in 25:16 and both earned First Team honors. Justin Roosma of Pacific Union won in 24:56.
Santiago has the top 2019 Cal Pac fall season 8k time with 24:45 set at the UC Riverside Invitation in mid-September and also has four of the top eight times this fall.
As a high school runner, Santiago was a back-to-back Arizona state individual cross-country champion in 2016 and 2017 at Chinle High School. He also ran for the Wings of America national team his junior and senior years.
Santiago won the 2017 Shiprock Marathon with a time of 2:39. He attended Central Arizona College and was a member of the 2018 National Cross Country Team Championship.
From the recent past to the current plan that is happening now: The University of Antelope Valley men’s and women’s teams are preparing to compete in the NAIA National Championship meet on Friday, November 22, in Vancouver, Washington.
“I’m part Navajo and Mexican,” said Santiago. “My parents are Raylene Robertson and Nelton Hardy. My mom is part Mexican and Navajo and my father being full Navajo. As my parents have been apart for sometime now, I do reside with my father in Valley Store, Arizona just in between Chinle and Many Farms where my mother resides.”
“I see that I am a role model,” said Santiago. “As a team we push each other to become something greater than before. As most of us have flaws we go and do our best to cooperate. I’ve been trying to push others to work harder in a workout. I wouldn’t yell but I would try to push them to catch up. It’s always nice to lend a helping hand to someone who understands what this sport does mentally and physically.”
“Being a Navajo we are held to higher standards. Education is the ladder to success so we have to take that route as Chief Manuelito once said. Getting up and running in the morning happens to be a reason of living in good harmony with the earth, sky and self. Why? To be connected with nature and see everything around us is a blessing, from one footstep to a few other hundred steps and heart beats per minute we take in our land and culture as a blessing to be Navajo,” added Santiago.
“I’m planning to get my Bachelors Degree in Criminal justice,” said Santiago. “I want to go back home and give back to the community for all the support and help they gave me during my days of running and representing the community. Athletics does help me with the journey to my degree and standards for that. Running has taken me a long ways, literally a long ways, not just in miles but knowledge along the way.”
“The person who really influenced me into running happened to be Shaun Martin,” said Santiago. “To hear his stories and times before of running and how he was introduced to running roped me into the sport. He would help in anyway possible to support the team and runner in the team. He understands where we come from and what we have to go through living on the Navajo reservation. He’s the athletic director at Chinle High School.”
Santiago has encouraging words for prospective student athletes: “Always remember to stay on top of your grades as someone once said before, the student comes before athlete. I’ve taken this saying and put it to use. In order for me to run and race with the team I’ve had great grades to participate. When I didn’t I didn’t run a race and it only happened once and that was it! Don’t take school as a joke especially in college because it’s nonstop homework and study. Always remember you got people looking up to you back home, cousins, nephews, and adults.”
University of Antelope Valley Head Cross Country Coach Clay Mayes shared: “I sat down with Santiago in December of 2018 when I went out to Chinle, AZ to visit him. Santiago comes from humble roots, as well as, being well received by everyone for his hard work, and perseverance. Even Santiago’s neighbor had wise words, and well wishes to offer about Santiago as I told him I was recruiting him.”
“One thing that stuck out almost immediately with the young man was his response to a question I ask recruits from time to time: “What do you hope to achieve with running well, and on the national scene?” Santiago didn’t take long to respond, and noted, “I run for my community. Some of the community does struggle with health related things like diabetes, I want to show them that we can use running as an outlet for great things with living a healthy lifestyle. I want to empower people by being an ideal role model, that’s the least I can do for my community,” added Coach Clay.
“I’ve known Santiago for four years, and longer than most of the native speedsters I’ve been acquainted with,” said Coach Clay. “Santiago has turned into a remarkable person, runner, and spokesman for his community. I know before Santiago finishes his career, he will garner an NAIA National title, and qualify for the Olympic Trials, which ideally would be by the 2024 Trials.”
Photo Credit: Clay Mayes
