Edmond Santa Fe's Gunnar Nixon excited to represent Team USA in Youth Olympic Games

He wasn't inspired by watching the Summer Olympics or anything like that. He was simply just looking to compete in another sport.

Little did he know it could lead to the opportunity that he has this month. Nixon will be representing Team USA in the high jump at the first Youth Olympic Games this month in Singapore.

"It's amazing. I'm really excited about it," Nixon said. "This has just been an incredible summer.

"It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I'm going to get a chance to get to know kids from all over the world."

Nixon leaves Monday and will be in Singapore for three weeks. The actual competition dates for the Games are Aug. 14-26. His flight to New York is paid for by the U.S. Olympic Committee, while the International Olympic Committee is taking care of everything else.

Nixon's already spent time in Puerto Rico, Iowa and Kansas for meets this summer.

Nixon started competing in track and field in fifth grade, but it wasn't until eighth grade that things really started to click for him.

"In seventh grade, I won something like one race," Nixon said. "I spent the entire time after that working, just working nonstop."

Though Singapore is nowhere like he's ever been before, Nixon is well-traveled. Born in Weatherford, he's spent time in Ada, Blanchard and Tulsa before moving to Edmond after his freshman year.