The 2015 CrossFit Super Regional Recap
For the fifth year in a row San Diego Athletics descended on The CrossFit Games California Regional. Two months ago we spent a tough five weeks qualifying two individuals and one team in The CrossFit Open. New to the competition was the Super Regional format.
For the fifth year in a row San Diego Athletics descended on The CrossFit Games California Regional. Two months ago we spent a tough five weeks qualifying two individuals and one team in The CrossFit Open. New to the competition was the Super Regional format. In the past, the top 60 individuals and 30 teams we invited to the regional. This year, 20 individuals and 15 teams from SoCal were combined with the top 20 individuals and 15 teams from Norcal. The level of competition and qualifying process involved doubled in difficulty and we were very proud to be represented by such a large group of athletes.
On the individual side, Jenn Ryan, who has competed on a team for the past four years, finished 31st in a stacked women’s field. Jenn Ryan has been working very hard towards her goal of competing as an individual since the regional last year and it was very fulfilling to watch her compete with the big girls.
Brittany Stevens also finished The CrossFit Open in the top 20 and advanced as an individual competitor. Brittany had a great day one with a 16th place finish in Tommy V showing her athleticism and prowess climbing ropes for time. Unfortunately, an injury in her shoulder suffered in training forced her out event eight and she had to withdraw from the competition. We are very proud of both of these ladies. Watching the two of you run on a treadmill and do 100 GHD’s next to each other will always be a very cool memory of the 2015 season.
Team CrossFit PB, per usual, came in and made a quick name for themselves. We have had a team compete at the Regional level for the past five years. 2015 was a bit of a rebuilding year. With Jenn and Brittany going individual it opened the door for Paula Santos to shine on the big stage. Matt Couch and Monica Oddo represented SDA for the second year in a row and Matt Lodin and Lindsay Renteria competed with us for their fifth year. Justin Fields, a newcomer to Team CFPB, but veteran to the regional also made a significant impact. The team stormed out of the gate winning their heat in the first workout, set the internet on fire with all of the camera time, and continued to light it up with very solid interview after the workout. The team continued to push all weekend and finished in 19th. I truly enjoyed watching you guys compete all weekend. Seeing everyone enjoying themselves reminds me of why this sport is so awesome. CrossFit is beautiful because it allows these like-minded people to get together and battle it out over a pull up and treadmill competition. It is pointless and also the most fun you can possibly have. You guys helped remind me of why I love this sport.
I also want to give a huge shout out to my best friend Bryan Boorstein. This weekend is filled with ups and down for him. Every time you make or miss a lift, he is sitting in the stands, relatively helpless, and agonizes over your every movement. It is no easy feat coaching a team and three individual athletes over three, 10+ hour days. He does not really sleep much, runs around like a madman between warm ups and watching events, and somewhere in there he has try to eat some food and maintain some semblance of normal human functions. It is a tall order for three straight days. Give that guy a high five and say thank you next time you see him.
To all the athletes, TAKE A WEEK OFF you crazy ass fitness freaks. It is ok to stop working out, the competition is over. But seriously, I can’t wait to see what happens in 2016.
