by By Dan Ninham
Al Spotted, 16, is a sophomore at Tongue River HS in Dayton, WY. His parents are Kenny Spotted and Jennifer Lefthand-Spotted.
“I am a member of the Apsaalooke Nation also known as the Crow Tribe,” said Al. “I am a Big Lodge and a child of the Bad War Deeds clan. My Crow name is Bishkawaalaax Chiitdee and it translates to ‘Marine Scout or Crazy Dog Scout’. My name was given to me by my uncle Leon Old Elk-Stewart.”
“We live out in a rural area,” said Al. “Growing up my dad wouldn’t let my brothers and I sit inside and watch TV or play video games all day. So my brothers and I would play outside instead.”
“One day my folks put up a basketball hoop and I would play basketball with my brothers,” said Al. “When we were younger we would go check on our livestock. My parents would drop us off at a gate and make us race to the next gate. That’s how I started my athletic career.”
“I grew up watching relatives play basketball and run cross country for the local high school teams,” said Al. “I would participate in 5k runs with my mom. So by the time I was old enough to join sports in grade school, I decided to join cross country, basketball, soccer, track, and football.”
“I am fortunate enough to be a member of the Tongue River High School Cross Country State Championship team, and for my effort I was recognized as a Wyoming Class 2A All State runner,” said Al. “This is my biggest accomplishment by far. Our team is also back-to-back Conference champs. Last year we also took second at State. I earned All Conference two years in a row.”
“Growing up my parents and grandparents have always shared life lessons and knowledge to my siblings and I,” said Al. “Even the day after winning a state title those lessons still continue. The first value that I carry with me is my faith in God, without God all of this would not have been possible.”
“As an Apsaalooke, I believe our faith is strong,” said Al. “The next value would be our Clan system. I believe our clan system is what sets us apart from other people. We always seek our clan fathers and mothers blessings in everything that we do. They in return will make wishes, prayers and advise on our behalf. I believe that these values are helping me today.”
“As far back as I can remember, there have always been people who have had some positive influence on me, first and foremost are my parents and grandparents,” said Al. “They have always been supportive of my efforts in everything that I do, not just athletics, They have made sure that I make my education a priority. I am fortunate to have other people who have come into my life and made a positive impact on me.”
“Aunts, uncles, clan fathers and mothers, coaches, teachers, school administrators, bus drivers, friends, neighbors, friends from the powwow circle, and my teammates,” said Al. “I am thankful they take time out of their lives to share something positive with me. I appreciate all that they do for me. I hope that I make them proud!”
“Al was always athletic in what he did from running cross country, to playing basketball and football, and dancing at pow wow’s,” said former coach Christy Rides The Horse.
“I started coaching Al when he was a fifth grade. Every year he was improving. When his seventh grade year came around he started to peak. He started moving to the front of the pack. Then his eighth grade year came. That was his year. He was always in front of the pack. Al was always helpful and got along with everyone. He was one awesome kid to coach.”
“Without a doubt the pandemic is a scary time for us all, especially in Indian Country,” said Al. “My tribe has been impacted hard by this. I have relatives who have passed on because of this virus, and I have friends whose relatives have also passed on. My heart goes out to them, and my prayers go out to everyone. There is a word out there that is used a lot called resilient and I truly believe we are! We have endured so much throughout history. I believe we will survive this also. A lot of schools have cancelled their seasons because of this pandemic, so I was lucky to have a season.”
“I can do all that I can to prepare myself mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually, and after all that I can’t stay in my room and hide,” said Al. “I have an opportunity to go out and compete, responsibly of course, by following all the regulations that are in place. I must take advantage of the opportunity and participate in the sports I love. I hope my victory will bring a little relief, a little smile, and comfort to those who have been hit hard out there in Crow Nation and all other tribes across the country.”
“When I first started cross country I was in the third grade,” said Al. “Wyola, MT is a small community and school. I had to compete against older runners. Some became champions in their respective fields and even continued their athletic career at the collegiate level. That gave me confidence, the competitive spirit, and courage to become as good as these guys became.”
“My parents have always instilled in me that if I want something, I have to earn it by working hard,” said Al. “As I entered middle school, I was starting to place in several of the meets in our conference and I even eventually won our SEACC title for cross country. As I entered high school, I managed to do well at the varsity level. However, I found myself competing against older and seasoned runners again. Our team wound up winning the conference during the 2019 season and we became contenders for the State Title.”
“The State meet took place in Afton, WY, a place that’s high in elevation,” said Al. “We ran the race and several of my teammates placed in the top 10. I on the other hand came in 11th and one place shy of being an All State runner. The team did well however by taking Second Place. Despite the good placing, I felt bad. I felt that it was my fault for not being a championship team. I didn’t like the feeling of being so close and not finishing as champions.”
“Basketball season came and I was focused on that, until the season ended,” said Al. “During that whole time cross country was also on my mind. I told myself I don’t want to go through that again. I started training for the upcoming cross country season. I ran a lot harder and further than I have ever done before.”
“Every morning I planned on improving in every aspect of my running. When my dad had the time, I would ask him to take me to the Bighorn Mountains, so that I could run at a challenging place. I ran steep inclines, gradual inclines, both up and down, I ran on flats. I ran at my usual places around home. I even started lifting weights more, and I even managed my fueling as for nutrition,” added Al.
“During my time at these high places, I would take the time to meditate and pray so that I can focus mentally and be in touch spiritually,” said Al. “I ran in the snow, even while there was a blizzard. I ran in the rain even through the mud. I ran in the hottest part of the day, even in the smoke from wildfires that were going on this summer. I did this so that I was prepared for whatever weather situation was gonna happen the day the state meet takes place.”
“When the 2020 season started I talked with my teammates on their thoughts for this season,” said Al. “We were all on the same page, we didn’t want to come home without the championship. I didn’t want to fall short again, and I didn’t want to let my team down.”
“As the season progressed, I’d be running on the days I was supposed to recover and rest,” said Al. “My coaches found out and they told me to take it easy, so that I wouldn’t hurt myself. The conference weekend came, we eventually won the conference again, and I was All Conference again. Although we won back-to-back conference titles, we knew what lie ahead of us, we were on a mission.”
“The night before we left for state, I went and visited with my clan uncle Wesley and sought his blessing and guidance,” said Al. “The morning before I left, my grandpa Kenneth came over and visited with me. He was telling me that I had done all that I could possibly do to prepare myself for the meet. All I had to do now was to run my race.”
“I arrived at the course and it was a cold day,” said Al. “People were in their parkas and snow boots. On the ground there was about 4” of snow, and when I saw the snow I smiled. I prepared myself for this. The race was tough, a lot of good runners out there. I wound up taking 5th place earning All State Honors and our team eventually won the first ever State Title! To make things even sweeter the girls won too! All of the hard work and sacrifices was worth it.”
Tongue River HS Cross Country Varsity Coach Tim Maze talked about one of his top runners: “Alberto was new to our program and new to our school his freshman year. He joined a pretty strong team with great upperclassmen leadership. The team had set a goal to win the conference championship and be top three at the state meet. Al fell right in with a hard working crew and quickly became ‘One of the Boys’ on a mission for the season. Early in the season Al commented to his mother that it was pretty hard and the other boys really work hard. He was a great addition to that hard working crew and had a great, and really enjoyable freshman season. He was easy to coach and a pleasure to work with. He had great drive and really wanted to be there.”
During freshman year in 2019, Al was on the team conference champions and WY 2A state runner-up championship teams. He was named All Conference with his sixth place finish and placed 12th at the WY 2A state championship meet. He had a personal record of 18:10.4 that season.
“During Alberto’s second season with TRHS he committed to summer strength training and running in the off season,” said Tim. “He raced a few 5Ks over the summer too. He came into the start of the season in great shape and immediately became one of our top runners. His commitment to excellence inspired other members to also push themselves to a higher level.”
“We enjoyed a great season during this crazy pandemic time. Alberto, and all our athletes, overcame the obstacles of the ‘Corona Season.’ We had to learn new starting procedures and race course protocols along with new practice protocols while we kept our eyes on the team goal of a state championship,” added Tim.
“At one point six weeks into the season Al strained muscles in his hip and we had to work through the injury,” said Tim. “He had to sit out two competitions that challenged Al’s competitive nature. He responded well to TRHS’s trainer and did his rehab work carefully. Al attended both meets he couldn’t compete in and did a great job as an assistant coach cheering his teammates on.”
“At the conference championship race Alberto had to step into our #1 runner spot due to an injury to our season long #1 athlete. He responded beautifully and led our team to the conference championship with his second place finish,” added Tim.
During his sophomore season, Al was again on the team conference champion team but this past season he was a part of the WY 2A state champion team. He placed second to make the all conference team and placed fifth in the state meet. He was TRHS’s second runner all season on the team with a personal record of 17:32.6.
“We are really looking forward to Al’s 2021 season,” said Tim. “He is growing into an elite XC runner and, better still, a fine leader, teammate and gentleman. He is a great representative of our school, community and his family.”
“I am from the land of the Mighty Few, home of the Wyola Wildcats,” said Al. “Now I’m a Tongue River Eagle. I hope that this trend continues into a collegiate career. My parents have always told me to be humble, so therefore it’s tough to list some of my accomplishments. They have always emphasized education, and I will share this with you.”
“Education is so important to me that I have never missed a day of school since kindergarten to today, even through this pandemic,” said Al. “Being a college grad is my ultimate goal. I hope that I can use athletics as a tool to help me achieve that goal of having a college degree or degrees.”
“My parents have always emphasized faith, hard work, the crow clans system, being polite and courteous, to always smile and acknowledge people. If I carry these with me, then I would be successful, and I believe that it’s working. It has taken me this far in my education, athletics, the powwow circle and other aspects of my social life,” added Al.
“I love to Crow Style dance and Chicken dance, and travel to the local powwows,” said Al. “I hope to see you all soon on some cross country course, basketball court and the powwow arena. I’ll even invite you all to the next Crow Fair after we beat this pandemic. I hope you will join me in dancing to some good music by some good singers, as I will dance my heart out and make sure that my bells are the loudest, as we let this pandemic know we beat it!”
“Aho!!!” said Al Spotted.
Photo Credit: Hattie Spotted
My daughter Christy is very lucky to have a son like you Al she n i are so proud of you keep up the great work, you are a great blessing to us much love from Grandma Delean ,Mom n coach Christy n uncle Chase Al💙❤💖🙏👍
Alberto is a strong, humble and talented young man. He doesn’t mention that he was a top runner for Montana at the AAU Western National Cross Country meet in Reno, NV twice. His parents and family have been supportive of all his endeavors. He truly is a role model for the youth of the Crow Nation.