Addy Goretskie “fell in love” with martial arts during the COVID-19 pandemic. This week, the 14-year-old is taking her skills to a national stage.
Goretskie is one of two Illinois teenagers competing in the Patriot Games. The national athletic competition is hosted by Freedom 250, a White House-backed group created to fund and plan events commemorating the United States’ 250th birthday. The tournament runs Aug. 9-11 in Geneva, Ohio.
The games will feature a range of athletic disciplines, including track and field, obstacle course challenges, tug-of-war, dodgeball, kickball and basketball. The athletes will also be tested on skills drawn from soccer, tennis, football, volleyball and baseball, according to Freedom 250.
A total of 120 student-athletes aged 14 to 17 were selected to represent U.S. territories, military bases, tribal nations and states. They will compete for a $250,000 scholarship pool. Applications opened in June, with hopefuls submitting videos introducing themselves and explaining their interest in the competition.
Goretskie, who lives in Northbrook and is a rising freshman at Glenbrook North High School, said she found out about the Patriot Games on social media and decided to apply.
“I had nothing to do all summer and was bored, so (I) thought ‘Why not?’” she told the Tribune.
One male and one female student-athlete will be competing from each state. Goretskie said she’s proud to be half of Illinois’ team, alongside Maksymilian Lasnoski of Springfield.
“It means a lot to me to have my state on my back,” she said. She’s also thrilled to be the second youngest competitor — by five days, she said.
Jace Niles leads a huddle during day one of the Patriot Games, Aug. 9, 2026, in Geneva, Ohio. (Nate Manley/AP)
Sophie Skidmore, of West Virginia, participates in the flex arm hang during the Patriot Games, Aug. 9, 2026, in Geneva, Ohio. (Nate Manley/AP)
Participants compete in the flex arm hang during day one of the Patriot Games, Aug. 9, 2026, in Geneva, Ohio. (Nate Manley/AP)
Participants celebrate during day one of the Patriot Games, Aug. 9, 2026, in Geneva, Ohio. (Nate Manley/AP)
Kasen Armstrong of South Dakota participates in the medicine ball toss during day one of the Patriot Games, Aug. 9, 2026, in Geneva, Ohio. (Nate Manley/AP)
Participants cheer during day one of the Patriot Games, Aug. 9, 2026, in Geneva, Ohio. (Nate Manley/AP)
Joshua Chechile of Vermont participates in the 55 meter hurdles during day one of the Patriot Games, Aug. 9, 2026, in Geneva, Ohio. (Nate Manley/AP)
Kasen Armstrong, of South Dakota, participates in kickball during day one of the Patriot Games, Aug. 9, 2026, in Geneva, Ohio. (Nate Manley/AP)
Participants celebrate during day one of the Patriot Games, Aug. 9, 2026, in Geneva, Ohio. (Nate Manley/AP)
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Jace Niles leads a huddle during day one of the Patriot Games, Aug. 9, 2026, in Geneva, Ohio. (Nate Manley/AP)
At the event, participants have access to professional trainers and referees, along with training facilities and gear. The games will be streamed on the ESPN app, culminating in a one-hour primetime special on ABC.
“They treat these girls and boys like stars,” said Goretskie’s mother, Sheryl Goretskie. “It’s awesome.”
The three-day event has been met with controversy. After its announcement in December, critics, including Gov. JB Pritzker, were quick to compare the competition to the dystopian “Hunger Games” series, written by Suzanne Collins. On Dec. 18, Pritzker posted a picture of the fictional character President Snow raising a glass of champagne. The Democratic Party also posted a clip from the 2012 film on X, formerly Twitter.
Addy Goretskie, 14, is competing in the Patriot Games running Aug. 9-11. (Sheryl Goretskie)
But for Sheryl Goretskie, supporting Addy is what matters most. Last year, the Goretskie family’s youngest son was diagnosed with leukemia. He is now in remission.
“Our family’s been through a lot, and for Addy to get this attention that she deserves, for her to thrive after the year we’ve had, none of (the controversy) matters to me,” Goretskie said. “This is about her, this is about the athletes.”
After the games, Goretskie said she hopes to qualify for the state cross-country championship and to one day represent the United States internationally in martial arts.
“This experience has taught me how hard work really pays off,” Goretskie said. “Don’t believe you can’t get it because you really can.”