Ramona CrossFit Athletes Dominate Teen Competition

By Casey Markee

More than 80 teens and pre-teens , ages 9-18 year, came from throughout Southern California over the weekend to battle it out in the first 2014 Beast League Teen & Youth Fitness Competition, held at Crossfit Purpose in Huntington Beach, California. When the chalk dust settled (three workouts and eight hours later), Ramona’s own Neighborhood Crossfit stood as one of the most decorated competition teams in attendance.

“We could not be more proud of our athletes and their incredible effort,” said gym owner David Ross. “Our first and overriding priority was for the kids to have fun and perform to the best of their abilities in a safe and effective way. Coming home with multiple first place trophies and several top three and top five finishes is just a nice side benefit. The competition was well-run and we look forward to competing in future Beast League events”

Neighborhood athletes started their day bright and early, leaving Ramona Saturday, Jan. 4, at 5:30 a.m. Competition in Huntington Beach began at 8:30 and lasted till 4 p.m. The thirteen-member team competed in age groups ranging from 9U (male & female) to 18U (male & female).  Each athlete had to complete three WODs or “workout-of-the-days” that had memorable names like “Lucky 7s,” “Captain Jack,” and “Call of Duty.”

Each workout consisted of different body weight movements like push-ups, pull-ups, box jumps and broad jumps and was done either for time (as fast as possible) or with a goal of completing as many rounds as possible in a set amount of time (called AMRAPS). Event placements were determined either by the order of finish or by which athlete completed the most repetitions during a workout event. Overall placements were determined by an average of each of the athlete’s three WOD performances.

Multiple Neighborhood athletes placed on the podium during the event , including: Matt (17), placing first in the 18U male division; Sidney (12), placing second in the 13U female division (losing a tiebreaker for first);  Marissa (), placing third in the 13U female division; Ryan (10), placing first in the 11U female division;  Tessa (10), placing third in the 11U female division; Kelsey (9), placing first in the 9U female division; and Summer (9), placing third in the 9U female division. 

Just missing the podium but putting in great efforts were the following:  Mackenzie (17) in the 18U female division, Liam (16) in the 18U male division, Lauryn (14) in the 15U female division, Molly (12) in the 13U female division, Alton (10) in the 11U male division, and Payton (9) in the 9U male division.

For more information on the Beast League Teen & Youth Fitness program visit them online at BeastLeague.net.  For more information on Neighborhood’s gymnastic and CrossFit classes, please visit their website at www.NeighborhoodCrossfit.net or drop-in at their location on Main St. next to Webb Pool & Spa.