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Two Fort Hood soldiers make Invictus Games Sydney 2018 U.S. Team

Invictus athletes have their goals set on gold.

The U.S. team roster for the Invictus Games in Sydney, Australia were announced earlier this week., and the 72-member team includes two Fort Hood soldiers, who will be competing in the international competition for wounded servicemen and servicewomen in October.

Fort Hood soldiers Staff Sergeant Altermese Kendrick and 1st Lieutenant Chris Parks will be competing on the team.

Staff Sergeant Altermese Kendrick sustained a hip and back injury during PT. The injury means she might never be able to run again. But, the Army athlete will be participating in five events including wheelchair racing, seated shot-put and discus, rowing and hand cycling.

"My first reaction, thank God, it was more like an oh my goooooooodddd kinda thing," Kendrick said. "And then it was ahhhh, a real big sigh. And then it was man, I gotta up my training."

Kendrick said her workout partner Staff Sergeant Dorian Rhoten, Sr. is keeping her balanced. The athlete will be stepping up her cardio workout routine and amp up her lifting to more than her bodyweight at about 185 pounds.

She said she is doing the competition for all the veterans who didn't have the opportunities she has to compete.

The Army athlete is currently competing in San Antonio at the Texas Southwest regionals for veterans. She said she'll be carrying a group picture of those veterans with her to the Invictus Games to keep her inspired.

"I just do things differently but continue, but that's because we have so many resources now. But the veterans that came before us don't have that, didn't have that. And I want to make them my why. That is what's gonna help me keep going," she said.

Kendrick said she is going for gold because it's the only option.

Take a look back at our feature on Staff Sergeant Kendrick back in July.

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