Team EBCI is shown (left-right) at the Parade of Nations at the opening of the Jim Thorpe Native American Games held June 9-15 in Oklahoma City: Raymond Taylor, Jack Walkingstick, Tavi Rivera, Bud Smith, Tagan Crowe, and Michael Montelongo. (Photo by Radonna Crowe)
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians was represented in wrestling and golf at the annual Jim Thorpe Native American Games held June 9-15 in Oklahoma City.
EBCI tribal members Tavi Rivera, Michael Montelongo and Raymond Taylor competed in wrestling and Tagan Crowe competed in the golf tournament. Jack Walkingstick coached the wrestlers and Bud Smith coached Crowe.
Rivera won gold, Montelongo won silver and Taylor took fourth in their respective wrestling divisions and Crowe placed fifth in the golf competition.
“Thank you to Nancy Wahnetah, Crowe’s Sno to Go, Wahnetah and Ned Stamper, Painttown Gym, Bo Crowe, Dick Crowe, Patrick Lambert, Tribal Council, Vice Chairman Bill Taylor, EBCI Gaming Commission, Food Lion, Big Cove Grocery, Stoney Store, Pam Taylor, and Dinah Grant,” said Radonna Crowe, mother of golfer Tagan Crowe, on behalf of the EBCI team. “Thank you to everyone who bought a breakfast, sno cone, baked good and 50/50 ticket. Sarah Crowe was the winner of the 50/50 and donated the money to the boys.”
– One Feather staff report
