NEU » d more.Philadelph

LOS ANGELES -- Mikaela Mayer knew she was better than the high school burnout that she was in danger of becoming.She had attended four schools in three years, repeatedly getting in trouble for fighting and bad grades. She was a 17-year-old occasional model with the self-awareness to realize she had no clear direction or future outside the San Fernando Valley.All I cared about was my friends, and going out and partying, and being a young, cool teenager, Mayer said. I was looking for something, but I had no idea what.One summer day, she realized something was calling her to the humble storefront kickboxing gym in an unassuming strip mall down the street from her divorced dads apartment. Instead of driving past it again, Mayer and a friend went inside.The first thing she asked the trainer was: Do you think Im too old to start competing?I was hungry for success in something at that time, because I wasnt doing well at anything, Mayer said. I was like, `I want to be good at something. Its always been inside me. Ive always had that fire. I didnt have anywhere to direct it.Almost nine years to the day after that wild child learned how to throw her first punch, Mayer will fight at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics, joining gold medalist Claressa Shields as the only U.S. women boxers in Brazil.Mayer still doesnt know exactly why she first decided to punch people after a youth spent participating in everything from soccer to motocross to snowboarding. Nobody in her self-described family of hippies had been anywhere near a boxing gym.After her first workout, she knew three different ways to throw a proper punch. And she liked it.I poured all my energy into it, Mayer said. It wasnt ever just a part-time thing for me. From the day I walked into this gym, within two months, all I thought was, `I want to be the best female fighter in the world.Mayer took lessons in muay thai and kickboxing, but she dedicated herself to boxing after a back injury temporarily stopped her from throwing kicks. She became a Golden Gloves champion just a few years later -- and when the Olympics added a womens tournament in 2010, Mayer and her father, Mark, decided to chase medals.They heard about a boxing scholarship program at Northern Michigan University under revered amateur coach Al Mitchell, who has taught three U.S. Olympic teams. Before she had time to think, the LA native had been accepted to the program on Michigans Upper Peninsula.So I quit my job, said, `Later, to my boyfriend at the time, and hopped on a plane, Mayer said. I had never been to Michigan, let alone the U.P., which is a `nother thing on its own. I remember flying in there and seeing all the pine trees and 10 feet of snow and just thinking, `Where the hell am I?Mayer warmed to her cold new home, and Mitchell developed his first female pupil into a world-class fighter. Her bond with Mitchell and his fiancee became so tight that she had Mitchells initials tattooed on her right hand.The thing that makes Mikaela different is her commitment, Mitchell said. When she walked in here, I broke her down and rebuilt her. She never believed it was too hard, and she never gave up. She has toughness that got her this far, and now its getting her all the way to the Olympics. Its an incredible thing to do in that amount of time.A year after moving to Northern Michigan, Mayer fell just short of a spot on the first U.S. womens team, losing a decision to Queen Underwood at the 2012 trials. She only became more determined to catch the next wave in the evolution of her sport.Mayer made the Rio team last fall only after fending off a ferocious challenge over three qualifying fights from teenage prodigy Jajaira Gonzalez, a fellow LA-area native with a wealth of junior titles.The competition is so much tougher now than it was when I started, Mayer said. Back in 2009, if you went to a tournament and even got to have two fights, it was worth the money.With an artfully bent nose from boxing, she still takes occasional modeling work, particularly for a handbag company that sponsors her. Although she still lives in Michigan, Mayer returned to her original Valley gym last month, joyfully greeting her first coach -- and Coconut, the adorable dog she gave up when she moved.She wants an Olympic medal out of her journey, but she also wants her success to bring more attention to womens boxing. Although she has thought about turning pro, good money is scarce for female fighters outside the octagon -- but that only makes Mayer more determined to succeed in Rio.Ive always believed Id be here, but I also knew that the chances of being here were going to be slim, Mayer said. This was my dream before I knew it was possible. Cheap Jerseys . Howard Ganz, an MLB lawyer, said in a letter to U.S. District Judge Edgardo Ramos that Rodriguezs claims do not come "remotely close" to what is needed to overturn an arbitration decision in federal court. Cheap Authentic Jerseys . Their experience showed Tuesday as the No. 10 Badgers blunted a Saint Louis surge to win 63-57 and advance to face West Virginia in Wednesdays finals of the Cancun Challenge. https://www.cheapjerseysjustwholesale.com/ . In what the team had called a retirement, Ryan said Thursday that he is resigning as chief executive of the Rangers in a move effective at the end of this month. NBA Jerseys . Ashley Youngs cross was inadvertently headed by Chester into his own net in the 66th minute, allowing United to claim a third straight league win. "We had to dig deep with our fighting spirit and weve done that," United striker Wayne Rooney said. Stitched Jerseys . The incident occurred at 19:56 of the second period of the Kings 4-2 road win over Edmonton on Sunday. Nolan punched Oilers forward Jesse Joensuu in the jaw in front of the Kings goal during a scrum. NFL Nation reporters are taking a position-by-position look at the teams they cover, with a fantasy tint. They covered starting quarterbacks?Monday, running backs?Tuesday and wide receivers Wednesday.Todays topic: Over/under on tight end performance in 2016, based on their ESPN fantasy projections. Click the links after each team to view the full posts.Arizona Cardinals: Theyre not the stars of the offense, but Darren Fells and Jermaine Gresham could be the Cardinals quiet weapons this season with a lot of attention paid to their talented receiving corps and deep backfield. Read more.Atlanta Falcons: Jacob Tammes numbers appear ready to slip, but the Falcons other tight end, rookie Austin Hooper, could be a fantasy surprise. Read more.Baltimore Ravens: Seeking an experienced and durable target at tight end, the Ravens signed Benjamin Watson to a two-year deal this offseason. But if Dennis Pitta and Crockett Gillmore stay healthy, theyll cut into Watsons production. Read more.Buffalo Bills: The Bills are lacking a No. 2 tight end who threatens Charles Clay as a passing target. While Clays health is a potential issue (lower back), he should surpass ESPNs fantasy projection numbers in yards and TDs. Read more.Carolina Panthers: The Panthers are deeper at wide receiver than theyve been since quarterback Cam Newton arrived in 2011, and that could impact the receptions and TDs Greg Olsen gets in 2016. Read more.Chicago Bears: Injuries have been the only thing holding back Zach Miller, who has the ability to put up solid numbers for the Bears and fantasy owners. Read more.Cincinnati Bengals: Tyler Eifert, recovering from May ankle surgery, figures to be a big part of the Bengals red zone plans when he returns. Read more.Cleveland Browns: Can Gary Barnidge set career marks in consecutive seasons at age 30? That might be expecting too much as that reality is reflected in the dip in projected numbers for 2016. Read more.Dallas Cowboys: No player is more motivated by those who doubt him, and Jason Witten has heard whispers this offseason that he is slowing down. Also, his role has changed with the commitment to the running game, so what does that mean for his catches and yards? Read more.Denver Broncos: The Broncos are likely to go back to using a two-tight end formation this season, and that news could mean higher numbers for Virgil Green and Jeff Heuerman. The keyword in that sentence is could. Read more.Detroit Lions: The potential is there, but Lions tight end Eric Ebron needs to stay injury-free and be more consistent before he can be a reliable fantasy option. Read more.Green Bay Packers: If healthy, Jared Cook would give the Packers a big-play target whose production will easily exceed ESPNs modest fantasy projections. Read more.Houston Texans: Coach Bill OBrien and the Texans have not relied heavily on their tight ends in the passing game. Unfortunately for players such as C.J. Fiedorowicz, changes arent likely to happen this season. Read more.Indianapolis Colts: Dwayne Allen, the Colts No. 1 tight end now that Coby Fleener is gone, should see a much bigger role in the passing game if he can stay healthy and lean on his athleticism to beat linebackers. Read more.Jacksonville Jaguars: Julius Thomas may receive fewer balls thrown his way, but that doesnt necessarily apply near the goal line. The Jags will try to exploit mismaatches, which should free up Thomas to catch more than ESPNs projected TD passes of 5.dddddddddddd7. Read more.Kansas City Chiefs: Ever since he debuted in 2014 by catching 67 passes, fantasy owners have been waiting for that breakout year from Travis Kelce. This could be the year it happens. Read more.Los Angeles Rams: Can Lance Kendricks and Tyler Higbee fill the large void left by Jared Cook, who has led the Rams in catches and receiving yards since 2013? Read more.Miami Dolphins: Its hard to predict Jordan Cameron catching nearly 50 passes during the regular season after not making much of an impact in the spring or in training camp thus far. Read more.Minnesota Vikings: Kyle Rudolph finally feels healthy and in sync with QB Teddy Bridgewater. So how will that affect his fantasy production? Read more.New England Patriots: No NFL team runs more multiple-tight end sets than the Patriots, and that should continue to be the case in 2016 as long as Rob Gronkowski and Martellus Bennett remain healthy. Read more.New Orleans Saints: ESPNs fantasy projection for Coby Fleener is perfect in that it places Fleener among the top fantasy tight ends -- without getting carried away. Read more.New York Giants: The Giants figure to split reps between tight ends Larry Donnell and Will Tye, which makes both useful in fantasy but also limits their ceilings. Read more.New York Jets: The Jets desire to get the ball into the hands of their wide receivers makes Jace Amaro and the tight ends a poor bet for fantasy team owners. Read more.Oakland Raiders: Clive Walford, whose role increased down the stretch in 2015, has the size and athleticism to help him potentially break out in his second NFL season. Read more.Pittsburgh Steelers: Yep, you read that right. Jesse James has just eight NFL receptions and is likely to be the Steelers most productive tight end, at least early in the season. Read more.Philadelphia Eagles: Coach Doug Pederson has grand plans for Zach Ertz and Brent Celek. Expect to see two- and even three-tight end sets as Pederson tries to maximize the talent he has in that room while working around a potential deficiency at wide receiver. Read more.San Diego Chargers: Even though Antonio Gates has showed some signs of slowing down, he remains a reliable target on third down and in the red zone. Read more.San Francisco 49ers: In recent years, a tight end in a Chip Kelly offense has offered quite a bit of production. But who will emerge among the group that includes Vance McDonald, Garrett Celek, Blake Bell and Bruce Miller? Read more.Seattle Seahawks: Jimmy Graham is a special athlete, but the uncertainty surrounding his injury makes him a risky fantasy proposition. Read more.Tampa Bay Buccaneers: From a fantasy perspective, Austin Seferian-Jenkins is a bigger name with better physical tools, but Cameron Brate has a rapport with QB Jameis Winston. Read more.Tennessee Titans: Delanie Walker will be hard-pressed to match his reception and yardage totals from last season, but he should still beat projections and score TDs. Read more.Washington Redskins: After Jordan Reed finished with 87 catches, 952 yards and 11 touchdowns last season, it wouldnt be surprising if he reached those numbers again. Read more. ' ' '