More Than a Race: NAU’s Ali Upshaw Carries Navajo Tradition Across the Finish Line

FLAGSTAFF, Arizona. (October. 7, 2025) - When Ali Upshaw laces up for a race or a practice, she is not just running for herself, but for her culture. Ali Upshaw grew up in the small town of Fort Defiance, Arizona. Fort Defiance borders Arizona and New Mexico and to this day, is a part of the Navajo Reservation.

Running has been a part of Navajo culture for centuries. The Navajo believe that running teaches them how to overcome obstacles, to learn self discipline, to be with discomfort, and to find appreciation for hardships. "Running's just like a family tradition," said Upshaw. "My whole family ran, so growing up, I really wanted to be like them." Upshaw has had much success since transferring to NAU her junior year. In 2023, she placed third at the Big Sky Conference Championships and in 2024, she championed the Big Sky Conference Championships.

Upshaw's family played a large part in her success as an athlete. While running was a role in her culture, it was also spoken about and celebrated within her family. "My grandpa used to coach my mom," said Upshaw. "She started coaching again when I got to high school." Upshaw was raised by multiple generations of runners and coaches who not only taught her how to race, but how to love what she does.

Throughout the 2024 season, Upshaw was dealing with an injury that caused some setbacks. "I went into that year thinking like, that was going to be my last year... my mind and my heart told me that, I didn't want things to end that way," said Upshaw. Things did not end that way, Upshaw decided to use her fifth year and compete this 2025 season. She has gone into this season healthy and with the goal of ending the sport she loves with some success.

Success to Upshaw has never been all about winning, but about her impact as well. Growing up within the Navajo Nation, Upshaw was always surrounded by runners. She said that in school growing up you could always ask the native kids if they knew someone in their family, who ran cross country and someone would always raise their hand. While running is a large part of Navajo and native culture, Cross Country culture is not fully dominated by native runners.

"A lot of times, when you're on a team, you look around and you don't see anyone else that looks like you," said Upshaw. Throughout her college career Upshaw has and is still learning how to navigate a huge sport that not many native people have navigated before. She uses her experience and platform to send an even bigger message to youth just like her. "The presence of it is powerful in itself to be on the team...[getting to] ensure that native youth know that they're cared for and they can be here too," said Upshaw.