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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2016-03-02, Page 5Wednesday, March 2, 2016 • Huron Expositor 5 A world-wide competition, CrossFit Open in Seaforth Shaun Gregory Huron Expositor On February 26 Kesha's hit song 'Die Young' boomed through the surround sound speakers. For this world-wide competition the lyrics suited the situation as everyone at Degree CrossFit Seaforth looked as if they were breath- ing their last gasp of air. "It was brutal," said Chris Lee from Walton Ont., still some- what sweaty from his previous workout. He had just turned 65 -years -old last Wednesday. Accustomed to the moto- cross racing scene and the man responsible for initially erecting Walton Raceway from scratch in the 70s, Lee informed the Expositor that the challenging extreme fitness event known as the CrossFit Open caught him off guard. He was asked, what was the hardest part? "Just showing up," replied Lee with a stroke of laughter. "Because you know it's going to count, you really don't know what the workouts are going to be:' All athletes and gyms are completely blindsided to what specific training drills are expected to be performed, as the mysterious workouts are released online to the public every Thursday which Cross Fiters have until the following Monday to submit their totals. Since 2011 the CrossFit Open has been providing 'rigorous' challenges to anywhere from 14 -year-old freshman high school students all the way to grandparents. The week's trials executed in Seaforth were what is called the 16.1, a 20 -minute test of weightlifting and calis- thenics. Degree CrossFit Sea - forth welcomed more than 50 participants to compete with the primary objective of achiev- ing as many rounds and reps as possible including 25 -foot over- head walking lunges, 8 burpees and eight chest -to -bar pull-ups in the given time frame. "That's one of the longest (exercises) that has ever been in the CrossFit Open, it was very surprising to see that," stated the owner of Degree CrossFit Seaforth, Kaleda Connell, also adding that she has competed in this contest for the last four years. It was all screams and applause during the perspiring and grueling CrossFit Open, however from the external shell of the Degree CrossFit Seaforth building nothing but "It was brutal," said Chris Lee from Walton Ont., still somewhat sweaty from his previous workout. quietness loomed in the air. From the exterior it looked as if maybe welding or some sort of hands-on trade would be going on inside. "Definitely the inside does not match the outside, it was a shop before," mentioned Con- nell, who said before the CrossFit gym was created four- wheelers shared the space. Today, no vehicles or trades were being used just bodies and determination said Connell. "Everyone is doing great, they are pressing them- selves and doing things they never thought they could do," stated Michelle Ander- son from Seaforth, she con- siders herself a cheerleader, judge and team captain. As one of the seven judges assigned to the CrossFit Open Anderson, must make sure the athletes are following the guidelines set by CrossFit. With doing such precise and numerous movements one after another, some of the con- tenders fell, but with the judges also acting as coaches they were able to stay in the race. "They got back up and kept going," Anderson said. "We don't push people beyond what they are capable of, our number one goal is safety, number two is we have fun and number three you get a great work out in," ended Connell. Shaun Gregory Brandon Skinner executes some burpees at the recently opened Degree CrossFit Seaforth. Keri -Ann Schedewitz feels the burn after a hard workout at the CrossFit Open. Samantha Klaver participates in the CrossFit Open hosted by Degree CrossFit Seaforth. From the left, Kim Steep and Samantha Klaver perform chest -to -bar pull-ups. The owner of Degree CrossFit Seaforth, Kaleda Connell, laughs during the CrossFit Open in Seaforth last Friday. James Wilbee and Laurie Mills Dolmage hug after the 16.1 exercise while in the background Chris Lee takes a break on the floor. Keri -Ann Schedewitz rises above the bar during a set of chest -to -bar pull-ups. After a 20 -minute workout Laurie Mills Dolmage receives a high -five from Kaleda Connell at the CrossFit Open in Seaforth on February 26. HAVE AN OPINION? The Huron Expositor welcomes letters to the editor. They must be signed and accompanied by a phone number for information clarification. It is important to note, letters will not be printed without the author's name attached. All letters are subject to editing due to possible space restriction. Letters can be dropped off at the office, mailed or emailed: The Huron Expositor 8 Main St. P.O. Box 69 Seaforth, ON NOK 1 WO Shaun.Gregory@sunmedia.ca www.seaforthhuronexpositor.com