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. Jean Segura Jersey . Schenn scored the game-winning goal and added two assists to lead the Philadelphia Flyers to a 4-1 win over the Calgary Flames at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Tuesday. David Robertson Jersey . -- Timbers coach Caleb Porter didnt stray from his business-like approach to the season even after Portland downed the two-time defending league champion Los Angeles Galaxy to gain crucial playoff position. https://www.cheapphilliesjerseys.us/667n-gary-varsho-jersey-phillies.html . The 26-year-old Ireland striker, who has four goals this season, has signed a three-and-a-half year contract with his new club. Chase Utley Jersey . With Parker having a quiet game for once, Nicolas Batum and Boris Diaw provided the scoring as France won its first major basketball title by beating Lithuania 80-66 on Sunday. It was a victory that ended a decade of frustration for Parker and a talented French generation, which lost the final against Spain two years ago and took bronze in 2005. Fake Phillies Jerseys . White came in fourth place in the event. He was the two-time defending gold medallist. The gold medal went to Swiss snowboarder Iouri Podladtchikov. GREEN BAY, Wis. -- The Green Bay Packers would like to host the NFL draft.The Packers have applied to host the draft in 2019, 2020 or 2021, team president Mark Murphy said.He told attendees at the teams annual shareholders meeting Thursday that the league views the draft as an event that can move around the country annually, similar to the Super Bowl.The last two drafts were held in Chicago.Green Bay is the leagues only publicly owned franchise, and reports to shareholders each year. The Packers also play in the NFLs smallest market.Murphy says hotel rooms could be an issue, though many fans attending games typically stay within an hours drive of Lambeau Field, or even more than two hours away in Milwaukee.The Packers had also applied to host next years draft, Murphy told reporters after the meeting, though he indicated that Green Bay wasnt a contender.Players report for training camp Monday, but the league is always planning ahead. The NFL plans to play a season-opening game in China in 2018, though it appears that the Packers arent interested.They asked us if we were interested. I didnt even go to Ted, joked Murphy, referring to general manager Ted Thompson.The Packers remain in good shape financially, having already reported an 8 percent increase in revenue to nearly $409 million in 2016. Its the 13th straight year with a new high for one of the NFLs marquee teams.Part of a redevelopment project on property across the street from Lambeau is scheduled to open next year, including a resttaurant and hotel.dddddddddddd The Packers hope that Titletown project also draws more revenue and year-round visits to the area, and the venue would be open if the team were to host a draft starting in 2019. The team had roughly $168 million in player costs in 2016.Fans can be assured the Packer organization will spend every salary cap cent to bring more championships to Green Bay, treasurer Mark McMullen said.The Packers and Patriots are the only two teams in the league with seven straight playoff appearances, Murphy said, two years short of tying the record.Thank you for your support. Its unparalleled in the NFL and we greatly appreciate it, Murphy said before adding with a smile. Lets all meet here back in February for a Super Bowl celebration.The meeting was delayed about a half-hour because of storms moving through the area.Game notes Murphy said the team has played a very minimal role in the NFL planning to interview defensive stars Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers in connection to a media report that linked them to the use of performance-enhancing drugs. The interviews were supposed to take place when camps open. Murphy said team involvement was limited to setting up interviews or working with the league office. ... Lambeau Field will have a bacon-themed food concessions stand this season.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '