Crossfit athletes help Vics to third
Warragul athletes have helped Victoria to a third-place finish in the Crossfit state of origin held in Brisbane recently.
Local athletes Darren Humphrey, Cheryl Kos, Tammy Jones, Louise Clark, Adam Simmonds and Jodie Lea earnt the opportunity to represent their state after competing in an invitational event at South Melbourne’s South Wharf in February.
Fifteen local athletes had progressed to the invitational event after registering for an online masters competition, preparing with work outs released each week over a five-week period.
Local Crossfit coach Jodie Lea said athletes judged each other to log scores in team training events in the lead up to the invitational, with 10 athletes progressing to the state of origin qualification round.
“There are movement standards and it is very particular,” Lea said.
With the local team relatively new to the sport, having been training for less than two years, three athletes progressed to represent Victoria in the warrior (intermediate) division, while a further three athletes competed in the soldiers (beginner) division.
Each played their part in helping Victoria to third place, led by Warrior athletes Jodie Lea and Adam Simmonds, who finished first and second respectively for their age groups.
Warrior athlete Tammy Jones (fifth), and soldier athletes Cheryl Kos (8th), Darren Humphrey (10th) and Louise Clark (13th) also put in commendable efforts.
The state of origin comprised individual and team workouts, including gymnastics, cardio and weights.
Some workouts saw athletes doing repeat efforts over an allocated time, while other workouts set athletes a task to see who could complete it the fastest.
Athletes were allocated points to reflect their placing, with the athlete with the lowest score taking out their division.
With weightlifting the final event on the program, athletes completed a lifting ladder in driving rain, with Adam Simmonds lifting an impressive 100kg snatch and jerk.
“For such a small community, we have done amazing,” Lea said.
Lea said local athletes would continue to train for competitions and hopefully put another team together for next year’s state of origin event.