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Freshman, Age 15, is One of Two Calexico Players to Make a Team USA Roster
CALEXICO — Vincent Memorial freshman Jessica Manriquez was recently chosen to represent the United States in flag football at the upcoming 2024 Junior International Cup tournament in Los Angeles.
The 15-year-old Manriquez joins Calexico High’s Paula Cruz as the second local player who will be competing in the tournament. However, Manriquez will be part of the 15-under team, while Cruz is playing on the 17-under squad.
Manriquez was picked as one of 18 players on the Team USA roster after tryouts in Charlotte, N.C., last month. She participated in three days of tryouts which she likened to the NFL combines. Manriquez said she went through drills and scrimmages as the team’s coaches watched, trying to determine what the players could do and where they could be best deployed.
“I was really excited,” Manriquez said. “I am very grateful (to be chosen). I plan to work hard and stay focused and do my best to represent the USA.”
Manriquez plays locally on both the Vincent Memorial team as well as the Bad Rabbits traveling team, which also features Cruz. She plays wide receiver, center and safety for Vincent, but will not be playing on defense for Team USA. Manriquez ranked 66th in the nation last year with 10 interceptions, while also catching 50 passes for 761 yards and nine touchdowns. She added another touchdown on the ground during the Scots’ season. Her 67 total points scored are good enough to put her in the top 200 players nationally, while she is ranked No. 103 in receiving yards. She is also a member of the Vincent Memorial girls basketball team.
Manriquez has been playing football for only three years. She said before taking to the gridiron she was a gymnast. However, one day she happened upon some other girls training in the park and her interest was piqued.
“My mom looked into it for me,” she explained. “She asked me if I wanted to play and I did, so I started playing.”
While she enjoys all of the aspects of playing football, Manriquez says her favorite part is when she steps onto the field and the game starts.
“I love the energy on the field,” she said. “I love how it makes me feel. I forget everything outside the game and focus on the field and what I can make happen.”
Another thing she enjoys is the chance to travel and see new places. In addition to her trip to Charlotte, Manriquez has played in Orlando, Fla., and Cancun, Mexico. She has traveled to most of these places with Cruz and says being with a fellow player from her home town is very special to her.
“It feels really cool that I can share those experiences with her,” Manriquez said. “We are from the same place and it’s great that we’re both there together.”
Manriquez’s next trip will be back to Charlotte at the end of May for another camp which will determine who will make the active roster for the International Cup tournament. Twelve girls will be chosen to play for Team USA while the other six will serve as alternates. After that she is headed to Los Angeles for the actual tournament which takes place from July 9 through 12 at Dignity Health Sports Park, which is the home of Major League Soccer’s Los Angeles Galaxy. She and Cruz, along with the rest of the Bad Rabbits, will be going to Ohio later in the summer for another tournament. Manriquez is hopeful all of this pays off and allows her to fulfill her ultimate goal, which is an eventual trip to the biggest sporting event in the world.
“In four years I want to make the Olympics,” she said. “I really want to play flag football there and represent my country.”
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