El Paso teens representing U.S. in International BMX Championship

Two El Paso teens are heading Belgium to represent the U.S. in the BMX World Championship.

Fresh from a qualifying race in Florida, Jacob Rodriguez, 14, and Ayden Watts, 13, are two of 16 teens who made the cut for the international competition.

Rodriguez said he’s been riding since he was 10, and that his first time on the track was rough.

“I tried jumping something and that was that,” said Rodriguez. “Just crashed into something, and I just got back up and kept riding.”

That perseverance has helped him win the countless trophies and medals displayed around his family home in northeast El Paso.

But it hasn’t been easy.

“I’ve broken my arm twice, my wrists twice, but it’s fun,” Jacob said. “The adrenaline helps me a lot.”

His mom, Amanda, said that, because of the constant injuries, he’s often in the doctor’s office making sure his battle scars won’t have a lasting impact.

The strenuous sport requires physical preparedness and endless training, she said.

“I go to the gym everyday, I ride my bike every day,” Jacob said. “You have to pump, you have to use your arms, you use your core. You need everything.”

Even with the amount of time he dedicates to his sport Jacob said every second he spends on perfecting his performance is worth it.

“I love BMX, so I feel like that’s my free time,” he said.

Desert Downs BMX, near Nations Tobin Park, is where Jacob rides. It’s where he got his first rush of adrenaline.

“My grandpa, he helped build the track, like, a long time ago,” he said. “My other grandpas, he just took me out there one day, and that was it. I just kept riding.”

The race is in July. Jacob and his family are working to raise the money for airfare and accommodations.

But for now, holding his medal, he’s confident that with his hard work he’ll be able to accomplish his goal.

“I picture myself at the finish line,” Jacob said. “I’m really proud because it’s awesome. Not that many people get these.I picture myself at the finish line.”

Click here to help Jacob get to Belgium.