Don’t expect a lot of Henry Cejudo’s high school buddies to be cheering him on when he lights the torch for the 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 Olympic 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.

Event Details

What: About 10,000 athletes competing in 31 sports

Where: 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 Arena

Tickets 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.org

Full schedules: Visit thesportscorp.org

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