LAS CRUCES---After earning local and national recognition for her boxing skills, Amy Salinas, a junior at Oñate High School, has earned an invitation to participate in the USA Boxing Youth Girls World Championships in Guahati, India, Nov. 13 through 27.
“Miss Salinas is pursuing athletic excellence in boxing and has been identified as one of the nation’s top talents,” said USA Boxing National Teams Manager Jessica Luscinski. “Our mission is to develop character and achieve sustained competitive excellence in the form of Olympic gold and we believe Amy’s accomplishments are aligned with our mission.”
As part of the competition, Salinas will also participate in the USA Boxing Youth Girls World Championships Training Camp in Colorado Springs, CO, Nov. 4 through 13, Luscinski said.
“It’s always great to see our students excelling at pursuits in and outside of the classroom,” said OHS Principal Jim Schapekahm. “This is an outstanding opportunity for Amy and I know our students and staff will be cheering her on every step of the way.”
To help ensure Salinas can continue her schoolwork throughout the trip, her teachers will provide her with classwork and USA Boxing will provide access to tutoring services, according to Oñate High School Guidance Counselor Monte Womble. Womble also mentioned that, since the timing of the competition falls near major holidays, Salinas will miss a minimal amount of school days.
As of July 12, Salinas is ranked #1 in her division and weight class in USA Boxing’s Youth Women’s Rankings. The USA Boxing Ranking System identifies and tracks the nation's top boxers, categorized by gender, age and weight classification.
Boxers earn ranking points in the system based on match statistics from USA Boxing approved ranking events. The rankings are based on a two-year, rolling point system which began December 1, 2016.
At the age of 14, Salinas won a silver medal in the United States Boxing Junior Olympics in Charleston, W.V., where she represented the Las Cruces Police Athletic League.
USA Boxing is the national governing body of the United State Olympic Committee for Olympic–style boxing, according to a USA Boxing officials.