The Fittest Games in Austin this past weekend topped off a month full of back-to-back elite-level local competitions. Many athletes from the South Central region flocked to the heart of Texas to test their training from the past year and get their feet wet for the 2015 CrossFit Games season.

 

2014 Games Qualifier Richard Bohlken claimed the 1st place $7,500 purse, on the tails of a 7th place finish at the East Coast Championships the week before.

 

“I am ready to watch some football,” he said after the long weekend wrapped up Sundayafternoon, just in time for the Super Bowl.

 

Bohlken admitted that he’s been working hard this year with the goal of making it back to the Games from the South Central Region for his second year in a row in 2015.

 

Second and third places went to competitors Travis Williams, of U Can CrossFit, and Caleb Christian of CrossFit Redefined (2014 South Central Regional-14th place), respectively.

 

For the ladies, Alexis Johnson of Allsport CrossFit (2014 CrossFit South Central Regional-12th place) took home the gold by a landslide with 35-points to 2nd place Beth Spearman’s (2013 CrossFit Games-Team Atomic CrossFit) 46-points and third-place Brista Mayfield’s (2011 & 2012 South Central Regional) 47-points.

 

Johnson, a fresher face to the podium, says, “Heavy power cleans, toes to bar and super long workouts are my jam.” With a clean & jerk of 190 lbs., 150 lbs. snatch and 295 lbs. deadlift, the 5’2’’, 140 lb. former gymnast may be small, but she’s mighty. One to watch as the 2015 season approaches, she finished 13th overall in the South Central Open last year, and after following the programming from the guys out of CrossFit MisFits this past year, she’s on the attack.

 

For the Team Division, Team Gauxgetlifted of Get Lifted CrossFit in El Paso, sealed the winning deal in the finale WOD after battling for the first place spot with Team CrossFit Eado all weekend long.

 

Gauxgetlifted was comprised of Regionals and Games superstars Holly Mata (2013 CrossFit Games), Paul Smith (5 Regional Appearances since 2009), Margaux Alvarez (2013 & 2014 Games competitor, 2013 & 2014) and Lorin Adams (NorCal Regional athlete)—all whom had never competed together officially as Team Gauxgetlifted until this past weekend.

 

“Me and Holly actually just met Lorin (Adams) this weekend. He flew in from California,” Smith said, laughing.

The team said, regardless of their experience together however, that their communication is what made all the difference throughout the weekend.

 

“You have to have communication if you are going to be part of a team. That is one of the most important thing—and also knowing one anothers’ strength and weaknesses. I love running, longer endurance workouts, some skill stuff, but clean a heavy barbell for multiple reps? That’s more their strengths,” Alvarez said, pointing to Smith and Mata.

 

One of the team’s favorite workouts from the weekend was the In Unison WOD on Day 2, consisting of:

 

For Time

40 Team Plate Burpees

Farmers Carry ←→

20 Rope Climbs

Farmers Carry ←→

40 Team Plate Burpees

(17 min cap)

 

All the burpees had to be completed in unison.

 

“We practiced these with pillow burpees the night before in the hotel—dropping down onto our pillows at the same time,” Smith said.

 

CrossFit Eado ended the weekend seven points behind Team Gauxgetlifted, but nevertheless were all smiles on the podium. Three-time Games athlete Jenn Jones, 2014 Games individual Jordan Cook and Regional competitors Jared Astle and Rosalyn Adkinson knew they had worked together all weekend long with no less than a 6th place finish in the first five events.

 

“It's different pressure (going team instead of individual) to not let your team down. But it's hard in it’s own way because so much is out of your control. (Regardless though), we had a ton of fun,” Jones said.

 

At the end of the day Sunday, buzz was heard amongst the crowd, ranting about how smooth and well-run the competition had been. The events ran on time; the workouts were spectator-friendly while testing all elements of fitness for the participating athletes; and the new change in venue (indoors at the Travis County Expo as opposed to outside the CrossFit Central Downtown affiliate) was greatly appreciated, particularly on the rainy Day One of competition.

After spending an action-packed weekend in Austin, FloElite will be heading to Atlanta, prividing you with a killer LIVE STREAM of The 2015 Garage Games, February 6-8!

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