by By Dan Ninham
Colt Spotted Bear, 16, will be a junior at New Town HS in New Town, ND.
“My Indian name is “speaks for the people,” said Colt. “My tribes are Mandan, Hidatsa, and Crow.”
Colt’s main athletic accomplishments are being on two state champion cross country teams and being named all state his freshman year placing 14th. Another highlight is placing 7th in the state track meet two mile.
“Praying is a big deal in my family and not praying for success but for good health and good things to come to my family,” said Colt. “Praying and just remaining humble are my main values.”
“I want to get into a D1 college and compete at that level,” said Colt. “My goals right now are bringing New Town back into being a top competitive team for cross country and track. I know that it takes a lot of hard work and sacrifice but it’s worth it for my team.”
“My mentor is Ryan Wheeling,” said Colt. “He is one of New Town’s greatest runners, if not the greatest, and he has always been there to keep me going. He changed my view on a lot of things and it helped me mature and have a different mindset.”
The New Town head coach is Brian Anderson and the assistant is Jay Hale. Colt talked about both of his coaches: “In my personal experience, without them I wouldn’t be as good as I am and they play a large part in me being successful.”
Ryan Wheeling was the North Dakota Cross Country champion in 2015 and was a seven-time track state champion. He went on to compete at Oklahoma State University.
“I’ve known Colt Spotted Bear since he was in elementary school,” said Ryan Wheeling. “He and my sister ran on the varsity program as sixth graders when I was a senior. The kid ran hard, even then.”
“Colt really started to shine in high school. His freshman year he had a top 20 finish and a team state championship to go with it. The seniors graduated and Colt found himself the leader of the group, as a sophomore,” added Ryan.
“I think he felt a sense of responsibility for the program at that time,” said Ryan. “There were lower numbers than in the past and some really young runners. So when I’d see him he’d always pick my brain. He’s a learner. He’d asked how did I do it, how can he do it, how do I get more kids out, and do I make them better?”
“With all these questions he’d end with “I want to continue the dynasty, keep it going,” added Ryan.
Ryan continued to share about the future starting now with a new leader of the storied state champion running program: “He’s a top level athlete because he’s thinking more broadly than the rest. But to answer Colts questions, I’d say set an example and the rest will follow behind. So he runs hard. He runs not for only his school but town, community and reservation.”
“Everyone is behind him on this, and there’s is not doubt in my mind that Colt Spotted Bear will bring back a state championship to New Town,” predicted Ryan.
Photo Credit: Fahtima Hood
Your awesome Colt! Your aunt loves you!!!!