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Cejudo set to light torch; officials hope it will stay lit

Don’t expect a lot of Henry Cejudo’s high school buddies to be cheering him on when he lights the torch for opening ceremony at the State Games of America tonight.Between training and school, Cejudo found little time to make friends at Coronado High School.“I was always so busy training,” he said. “School started at 7:30 (a.m.) and I was training at 5 (a.m.). I would get out of school at 12:30 and I had practice at 2.”But don’t feel sorry for him. After winning an Olympic gold medal in the 121-pound freestyle wrestling class at the 2008 Beijing Games, Cejudo has spent time rubbing elbows with the likes of Donald Trump, Oscar De La Hoya and Jay Leno.And after spending this summer traveling, the 22-year-old is ready to again be the center of attention when he lights the torch at the World Arena at 7 p.m.“That’s my dream,” he said with a wide smile. “I know it’s not the Olympics, but it’s very, very touching. I used to compete in these Games, like in the Arizona State Games . . ., so it brings back memories.”While Cejudo will focus on igniting, officials for the Games are hoping bad weather won’t douse outdoor events scheduled to run today through Sunday. Sixteen sports will be played outdoors, with a chance of thunderstorms expected every day except Saturday.Doug Martin, Games national director, said one way or another, the Games will be completed.“We have one weekend with all these venues and if they don’t get done this weekend, they’ll never get done,” he said.

State Games of AmericaWhat: About 10,000 athletes competing in 31 sportsWhere: Air Force Academy, U.S. Olympic Training Center, Fort Carson, World Arena, Colorado College and other area venues.When: Today-Sunday; opening ceremony, 7 p.m. today, World ArenaTickets for opening ceremony: $10 for adults, $5 for youth (18 and under) and seniors (+55). Tickets can be purchased online at ticketswest.com. World Arena box office opens at 10 a.m. and box office tickets will also be available tonight. By phone: 576-2626.  Register: Colorado athletes may register in open sports at stategames.orgFull schedules: thesportscorp.orgTorch relayThe relay begins at 2 p.m. today at the Olympic Visitor Center at Boulder and Union. The torch will be ignited using the flame atop the center, and Mayor Lionel Rivera will lead off a relay featuring 50 runners.A circuitous route will take the torch west and south through downtown, southeast to El Pomar Sports Complex on the Greenway Trail, then southwest to the World Arena, which is nearly due south of the Olympic Center. Here are the ETAs:2:05 p.m. Leave OTC, heading west on Boulder2:35 Boulder and Tejon streets3:05 Tejon at Colorado Avenue3:20 America the Beautiful Park4:00 El Pomar Sports Complex4:10 Executive Circle at Janitell Road4:35 World Arena Ice Hall4:45 World Arena, Gate A

Denver quarterbacks Kyle Orton (8), Tom Brandstater (3) and Chris Simms, center, all had to report to camp with the rookies on Monday, three days earlier than the rest of the veterans. Photo by AP PHOTO

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