KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — An East Tennessee high school is one of the last places most people would expect an old Mayan language to be spoken. But at Fulton High School, some student-athletes speaks Akateko alongside another who speaks Mam alongside another who speaks Spanish.
Akateko and Mam are both Mayan languages, with Akateko most spoken among native communities in Guatemala. The cross-country team at Fulton High School includes students from five different countries.
Sam Tilleros, the team's coach, said the students do more than run together. They also pick up different languages and learn about different cultures.
"We have American-born kids, but also Honduran kids, Colombian kids, a lot of Guatemalan kids," he said.
Mateo Francisco Andres is from Guatemala and a coach on the team. He's able to connect with the student-athletes through personal experience as he too speaks Akateko and attended Fulton High School.
"They don't look at what color you are. They look at what character you bring to the table," Andres said.
Fulton High School is ranked as the most diverse public high school across Tennessee, according to Niche. It's an educational database that offers insights for schools across the U.S.
"Learn the different languages and how to come together as a team," said one student on the team.
"I enjoy learning their cultures and running with them every day," said a Spanish-speaking student on the team.
The team will compete in regionals Wednesday, marking the first season that Fulton High School has had a cross-country team since the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Cross-country is one of those opportunities showing cultures and open arms," said Andres.