NEW MEXICO SPORTS
NM teens compete for $250K at inaugural Patriot Games
Victoria Perea and Keller Ford will represent NM at the national athletic competition celebrating America's 250th birthday
The ping of a new email was enough to send Victoria Perea scrambling out of the shower. The message she鈥檇 been waiting for had finally arrived. Perea was officially going to be New Mexico's female representative for the inaugural Patriot Games. The competition is part of President Donald Trump鈥檚 Freedom 250 celebration and takes place Aug. 9-11 in Geneva, Ohio.
鈥淚 was like, 'Mom, they just sent me an email and said, Congratulations, I made it!' And she screamed so loud鈥 She was happier than I was." Perea recalled with a laugh.
That excitement is fueling 17-year-old Perea's preparation for a high-stakes national stage.
The Patriot Games feature one boy and one girl from every state, territory, and tribal nation. The Freedom 250 website describes the games as 鈥渁 national athletic competition celebrating the character, determination, and excellence that define the American spirit.鈥
鈥淏eing selected from this whole state of (everyone) who applied means a bunch, because it could have been anyone and they chose me,鈥 Perea said.
A multi-sport powerhouse at Rio Rancho High, Perea is no stranger to competition. She competes in basketball, wrestling, and track, but says wrestling is her favorite.
鈥淲restling's so fun. It's very competitive. I'm very aggressive in everything I do,鈥 Perea said. 鈥渋t was definitely meant for me because it's a contact sport. You get to fight each other without getting in trouble for it.鈥
For the competitors, aged 14 to 17, the stakes are high. A $250,000 scholarship hangs in the balance.
鈥淭his money would mean a lot to me,鈥 Perea said.
Keller Ford, who is the male representative for New Mexico, applied just a few days before the application period closed.
He discovered the national competition through his brother, who was driving and heard an advertisement for the games on the radio.
鈥淗e searched it up, found a link and then sent it forward to me, and then I applied,鈥 Ford said.
The 17-year-old from Las Cruces participates in track and cross country.
鈥(Being chosen) was pretty surprising, honestly. I鈥檇 kind of applied as a joke almost because I figured I had no shot of getting in,鈥 he recalled.
Both Perea and Ford will be competing in the games for three days.
The first day will host a kickball and dodgeball competition and feature no eliminations. The following day is when the competition kicks into high gear with a military-like obstacle course and ninja warrior course.
Only the top 16 girls and 16 boys will survive the points-based cut and move on to day three, competing in the finals, which will feature strength and accuracy competitions and a mystery game, according to Perea.
Perea is confident that she鈥檒l make it to day three.
鈥淚'm really confident. I really want to make it to day three. I'm gonna be really hurt if I don't,鈥 she said.
Keller also believes he has a shot at day three.
鈥淚 think I have some great potential when it comes to competing, because I am not nervous at all,鈥 he said. " I am pretty well balanced.
Perea and Ford will start making their way to Ohio, on Aug. 7 and 8, with the games taking place Aug. 9-11. Coverage of the events will stream on the ESPN App and culminate in a one-hour primetime ESPN on ABC special on Thursday, Aug. 13.
Isabella Campbell is an intern with the New Mexico Local 近距离内射合集 Fellowships and Internships Program, which places emerging journalists in newsrooms across New Mexico. Learn more at . She can be reached at icampbell@abqjournal.com.