Winners crowned at Patriot Games next to Trump

President Trump visited Geneva, Ohio on Tuesday to watch two American athletes win the first-ever Patriot Games, which were created by his administration to increasingly showcase youth sportsmanship and promote strict biological sex categories in athletics.

One male and one female were crowned the champions of the all-American sporting competition that spanned across three days of physical contests at SPIRE Academy. 

On Tuesday, Kennadi Fuhrman won the female title as a representative from the state of Kansas while Rockwell Myers, who represented Utah, won the male division, per ESPN.  

The two each received a $125,000 prize for scholarship money at the conclusion of the games. 

“Good finale. This has been as exciting as anything, I got here and I didn’t know what to expect…,” Trump said during a live interview with ESPN’s Laura Rutledge. 

“The parents are so proud of their children and I really am very proud of the group of people in this room, you see the spirit and the love of the country, our great country, and our country has never done better,” the president said.

Sports analyst Pat McAfee and Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) attended alongside the leader and joined him in touting the sportsmanship on display at the inaugural event.

“Had a BLAST celebrating high schoolers from across the country with the Heads of Disney, ABC, ESPN, and… The United States Of America,” McAfee wrote in a post on X.

“I’m proud of all parties getting behind this important initiative to keep future generations excited about remaining active. Cheers to the incredible contestants and to next year’s Patriot Games,” he added. 

Moreno also chimed in with supportive words. 

“It was an honor to be with President Trump today in Geneva, Ohio for the 2026 Patriot Games,” Moreno wrote. 

“These athletes are truly represent the best of America: merit, perseverance, integrity, patriotism, and an unwavering belief in God,” he added. 

Fuhrman and Myers both relished in their win, which was broadcasted on national television and credited their passion for sports as a major contribution to their success. 

Fuhrman is a senior soccer player at De Soto High School in Kansas while Myers is a competitive rock climber and ballroom dancer in Utah. 

“I thought it was going to be stressful when they invited me, and I thought I was going to be nervous and whatnot,” he said in an interview with The Deseret News. 

“But they have done an amazing job here in Ohio to make all the athletes feel confident in themselves, to feel ready for what’s in front of them and to prepare them for what’s next,” he added. 

Myers also said the process connected him with a new set of motivating friends. 

“We all want what’s best for each other, even though we’re competing against each other,” he told The Deseret News.