New Mexico
New Mexico teen called back to compete on American Ninja Warrior
If you’re an avid American Ninja Warrior watcher, perhaps you’ve seen Ixchel Valentino.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – If you’re an avid American Ninja Warrior watcher, perhaps you’ve watched Ixchel Valentino.
The UNM student competed on the show this season but didn’t make it past the first round of the finals. But that doesn’t mean we’re done seeing her on the famous obstacle course.
“It still feels like a whole dream to me, because I grew up here, and there’s only a few people from New Mexico that have made it that far on the show. And so now I get to be one of those people,” said Valentino.
Valentino is back on UNM’s campus after taking the national stage on American Ninja Warrior.
“You have to qualify through a few things. You have to do the qualifiers, move on to the semi-finals, win in the semi-finals to move on to the actual finals. So I made it all the way to stage one, and then, unfortunately, did not do my best out there, but I was super happy to make it that far,” said Valentino.
Even though she didn’t win it all, the 19 year old says she’s cheering on her fellow ninjas, who are now her friends.
“I got the experience to go film with them, compete with them, I’m like, actually friends with some of those people, and we go train together, and we meet up at competitions,” Valentino said.
The UNM sophomore calls herself the “Nerdy Ninja,” and is studying nuclear engineering.
“Starting the school year, it’s a little stressful. The work loads a lot, but I’m excited for it. If I could handle something like the big stage on American Ninja Warrior, I think I could handle a few exams,” said Valentino.
On top of all her schoolwork, she’s going back to the competition floor later this month.
“About three weeks ago, I got called back for season 17 of American Ninja Warrior. They’re going to be filming in Las Vegas, so I get to go back to the big stage,” Valentino said.
While she was a rookie this season, she’s no stranger to competitions.
“I did robotics competitively at the age of five. I did it all the way through high school,” said Valentino.
She says that experience, plus her time on Ninja Warrior, is preparing her to come back better than ever.
“I was really used to getting my mind in that state for a competition, getting myself prepared to, like, take on a course. I would just kind of block everything out. I was very sound mentally. But with Ninja, you have to also be ready physically,” said Valentino. “Since I filmed before, I’ve gotten a lot stronger, both physically and mentally, with how I approach competitions and how I train myself.”
You can watch Valentino next season on American Ninja Warrior, but she isn’t the only New Mexican tackling the course.
Albuquerque native, Katie Bone, announced on social media she got the call for season 17 of American Ninja Warrior as well.
As sure as there will be turkey on the table, Thanksgiving week will be the busiest time to travel.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – As sure as there will be turkey on the table, Thanksgiving week will be the busiest time to travel.
“Pack your patience,” said Leah Black, Albuquerque International Sunport’s Outreach & Marketing manager.
Because as you’re traveling, so are millions of others.
“We’re a little spoiled, because our airport is pretty small, and it’s usually pretty efficient to get through,” said Black.
Black says predictions are in the thousands for our midsize airport.
“On Wednesday, before Thanksgiving, 20,000 people coming and going through the Sunport, which is crazy. And then the second-busiest day is going to be the Sunday after Thanksgiving, at about 19,000 people,” Black said.
She’s telling passengers to arrive at the Sunport three hours early. Black says that should be enough time to navigate any issues with traffic, ticket counter lines, and parking, which ran out of room quickly this time last year.
“It’s going to fill up, it’s just a matter of when it will fill up. So I would say, watch our socials. But also, again, come three hours early because you might need to park in one of our third party off-site lots,” said Black.
Those lots are right next to the Sunport and offer a shuttle ride to your terminal. Another place you might be waiting a bit? The TSA security lines. But Black says new tech at the Sunport is helping move things along.
“They’re getting more people through per hour now than they have in the past,” Black said. “When you see an open bin, go up to it, you don’t need to wait behind the person in front of you anymore. People are always worried that they’re cutting the line.”
Things will certainly get more hectic as the week goes on, but some passengers planned for it.
“We’ve traveled before for Thanksgiving and decided to try and get ahead of it. So we’re doing Monday to Friday,” said Jennifer Clark, a visitor from New York.
Clark is visiting family in Santa Fe and says it was a good decision to fly Monday.
“We’re on time, and we had a connection. It’s been real easy,” said Clark. “One year we got caught in some weather, so we’ve decided this is a little easier.”
For locals Gail and Alan Hawkins, flying in Monday wasn’t a headache either.
“It was pretty busy, but it was very smooth. We didn’t have any problems,” said Gail.
Even if you are caught up in a hectic travel day, the Hawkins want to remind everyone to instead focus on the meaning of the holiday.
“Redeem the time. It’s precious. Be together and pay attention to one another,” said Alan.
As for hitting the roads, a spokesperson for the New Mexico Department of Transportation says construction on I-25 in the metro will continue.
Those lane closures won’t be lifted, but crews won’t be working Thanksgiving Day through Sunday.
New Mexico
New Mexico (NMAA) high school football playoffs: 2024 brackets, championship matchups, game times
Playoff season has reached the point in New Mexico high school football where state championship will be crowned this week.
The postseason finishes up this week as classes 2A-6A have their championship games on Saturday, Nov. 30,
>>New Mexico high school football playoff brackets
Stick with High School on SI for all of the matchups, game times and scores throughout the 2024 New Mexico (NMAA) high school football playoffs.
New Mexico high school football playoffs 2024 brackets
Here are the New Mexico high school football playoff brackets, with matchups and game times from all classifications in the championship games:
Championship matchup
(1) La Cueva vs. (3) Cleveland
1 p.m. Saturday
2024 New Mexico Class 6A bracket
Championship matchup
(1) Roswell vs. (2) Artesia
1 p.m. Saturday
2024 New Mexico Class 5A bracket
Championship matchup
(2) St. Pius X vs. (1) Bloomfield
1 p.m. Saturday
2024 New Mexico Class 4A bracket
Championship matchup
(1) St. Michael’s vs. (2) Dexter
1 p.m. Saturday
2024 New Mexico Class 3A bracket
Championship matchup
(2) Santa Rosa vs. (1) Texico
1 p.m. Saturday
2024 New Mexico Class 2A bracket
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— Ben Dagg @sblivesports
The toy drive is now underway. Here is how you can help.
SANTA FE, N.M. — The City of Santa Fe launched its Northern New Mexico Toy Drive last week with the goal of serving around 8,000 children.
According to the city, that is how many children are in-need. Now through Dec. 15, you can drop off donations at several locations (see below).
The toy drive will benefit more than 40 organizations and monetary donations will go toward buying gifts locally.
Organizers are also hosting an ugly sweater fundraiser Dec. 6 at the Fuller Lodge in Los Alamos. Tickets are $25 and all proceeds will go toward the toy drive.
The Northern New Mexico Toy Drive started 15 years ago with less than 100 children and quickly ballooned into what it is today.
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