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Fisher Holds Her Own Amongst CrossFit Veterans

Lauren Fisher By: Lauryn Lax   All eyes were on 20-year-old Lauren Fisher this past year at the 2014 CrossFit Games as she entered the StubHub Center as one of the youngest individual female athletes on the competition floor.  Fisher made a name for herself-holding her own, and finishing 9th overall in her first Games’ debut.    This coming weekend, all eyes will be on Fisher once more as she takes the stage at the Soul Open in South Miami, Florida.    While Fisher has been competing in the sport of CrossFit since age 18, she has been competing in the sport of Weightlifting for the same amount of time. Fisher first realized her knack for the sport of weightlifting when a friend suggested she give it a try.   “My friend who told me I qualified for Junior Nationals with my numbers, so I competed that year and got 2nd overall,” Fisher said.    Since then, she hasn’t stopped.   Fisher, currently living in Southern California and training out of CrossFit Invictus, is no stranger to competition, and has been busy since before and after the Games, taking advantage of every competition that comes her way.    “I competed in Junior Nationals this past year and I was the Junior National Champion for the 63kg class and Best Female Lifter. I competed at the Junior Pan American Championships and I got 3rd place in the Clean and Jerk as a 63. Then, I went to Kazan, Russia this past summer to lift at the Junior World Championships where I placed 10th in the 63kg class. And, this upcoming December, I'm really happy that I qualified for University Worlds in Thailan. This will be my third time representing Team USA!” Fisher said.   Prior to Worlds, however, Fisher is looking forward to her first Soul Open. She’s excited to visit her brother, Garrett, in Miami, who will also be competing, and proud to be bringing some recent PRs in her competition ‘bag’.   “Currently, I have 110kg (242lbs) Clean and Jerk and I recently just hit an 83kg Snatch (183lbs),” Fisher said. Watch the Soul Open LIVE on FloElite.com

Oct 30, 2014

Everything You Need to Know Heading Into Soul 2014

Hello lifters! On behalf of Team Soul and FWF, I would like to thank you for your unconditional support of the Florida State Weightlifting Championships/Soul Open!     This year, we have reached our limit at 215 lifters!  As a result, we have chosen to extended and change our schedule to accommodate everyone.  Below will be a brief description of the weekends events.     Friday- Vendor/Sponsor Mandatory Load In 11am-5pm *Official scale will be at the venue today and will be available until 5pm.  *Athletes and Coaches are more than welcome to come check weight and train as long as gear is set up.   *If you want a guaranteed session, I would train at Soul.  We will be open from 9am-6pm on Friday.    Saturday- First lift @ 9 am, Last session @ 7:20 pm   Sunday- First lift @ 9 am, Last session @ 7:30 pm   ***Make sure to check the schedule for your weigh in time, it will be different.   Venue- MAPS Backlot is conveniently located in the heart of Miami.   342 NW 24th St, Miami, FL 33127   Soul Open vs State Championships- If you are registered for State Championships, you are ALSO participating in the Soul Open.  This means you are eligible for cash prizes and medals in both States and Soul Open.  If you only registered for Soul Open, you are only up for medals and prizes for that event.  If you have a qualifying total at a FL meet and meant to register for States instead, plz respond to this email with your total and the event where you qualified.   Changes- All changes must be made by Friday at 7pm.  If you wish to make a change, plz email us before then and changes will be made.     Parking- Please plan for street parking.  There are lots in the Wynwood area as well, first come first served.     Food- Health Nut on Wheels will be selling meals at the event   Beverages- Soul will be selling Caveman Coffee, Shakes, Smoothies and more all weekend long.    Media- No large cameras are allowed into the event without a proper media pass.  For information on a media pass, plz contact our media team (info@oxudu.com)   Live Stream- To watch the Soul Open live in HD, sign up at FloElite.com.  See all the live action and commentary by checking out the link above.     Entrance Fee- $10 per day or $15 for two day pass.  Each athlete will receive an athlete + coaches band.     Medals- All will be handed out at the conclusion of each session.    Sinclair- Grand prize will be handed out at the conclusion of the event Sunday night.     Shirts- Soul will be set up with shirts, hoodies, event shirts, shorts, singlets and more!    Time Change- Don't forget to set your clocks back Saturday night for Daylight Savings! The time change happens at 2AM Sunday, so do not miss your lifts!   Below is a link for the start list and current schedule.   https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1zJ_emXLZ5fcqyQj_tnfQUEs60c99QGjOkb3oxuBb4u0/pubhtml?gid=1129983528&single=true   Danny Soul CF Soul x Team Soul Weightlifting Monster Series Progenex Marketing Team Soul Weightlifting Tournaments

Oct 27, 2014

Andrew Davis Set to Defend His 2013 Soul Open Title

All eyes on Andrew Davis Lauryn Lax   Andrew Davis, the 2012 and 2013 ‘champ’ of the Soul Open (105 kg weight class) is coming back to attack and defend his title at the Soul Open 4 next weekend.   In fact, Davis, an Olympic weightlifter based in Orlando, Florida, has been a part of CrossFit Soul’s annual weightlifting competition every year since its beginnings four years ago.    “I remember my first meet when they held it in their old CrossFit box. It was jam packed and everyone was into it. After the meet I knew I'd be back with that kind of atmosphere. Every year just gets bigger and better! Sure, it's a local meet, but people from all over the nation fly in to lift or watch. That's a pretty big deal. It'll be one I'll attend for years to come!” Davis said.    Davis, himself, is kind of a big deal.    This past year, after years of hard work, he qualified for a spot on the USA Pan American Team, as well as the USA World Team. He placed 6th, out of 18, at the Pan Am meet in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic in late May.    “That was my first international meet, and I had a blast. The World meet will be held in Kazakhstan a week after the Soul Open, and I am looking forward to (international event) number two,” Davis said.    When the 24-year-old is not competing, he’s training. Monday through Saturday, he’s in the gym, with two-a-days scheduled on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Thankfully, he said, his best friend, Troy Boettner, trains right alongside him.   “We’ve been best friends since we were 12. In fact, his dad is the reason I'm even in this sport. (Thank you Jeff Boettner!),” Davis said.    Davis’ describes his workouts as ‘brutal.’   “My coach, Tyrone Harvey, programs some crazy workouts, but I wouldn't trade this life for anything else. The drive keeps me going. This past year, I’ve been working a lot on leg strength and a faster stronger pull off the ground. Sometimes I swear he is trying to kill me,” Davis said.    Nevertheless, the work is paying off.   “Last month, at the World Team Qualifier, I had my best meet ever. I snatched 161kg and clean and jerked 204kg. 365kg total! I also hit all 6 lifts which I have never done before and they were all PR's as well,” Davis said.    Looking forward to the Soul Open, Davis said his goals are to most importantly, have fun (“and battle for the crown that Leo Hernandez took last year.”).  Regardless of whether he wins or not though, Davis is keeping his longer-term goals in mind.    “I want to make more World Teams and eventually qualify for the Olympics in 2016 or 2020. Training wise, I would like to get my numbers up a lot and start snatching in the 170's (kg) and clean and jerk above a 210 (kg). That would be solid for me Watch the 2014 Soul Open LIVE on FloElite.com  Related Articles: Sam Briggs Working to Break Records at 2014 Soul Open  The Countdown Begins to the 2014 Soul Open  Gear Up for the 2014 Soul Open   

Oct 27, 2014

Mattie Rogers Determined to Break Junior American Record

Photo By Hookgrip  Mattie Rogers By: Lauryn Lax    One week in counting before the Soul Open 4 happens—a last chance qualifier for the American Open in South Miami.   Registered athletes are focused this week—making last minute tweaks to their form and technique, gaining a ballpark idea of just how much weight they can lift, and de-loading for the big show.   19-year-old Mattie Rogers is one of those athletes.   Rogers, from Florida and the South East Region, supercedes competitor Lauren Fisher of Southern California, as one of the ‘youngest’ weightlifting athletes on the floor, but she has grown accustomed to this status.   “There are plenty of youth lifters in the youth division, which I used to compete in, but now, as far as elite lifters, I am definitely one of the youngest out there. I did move up a weight class this year though,” Rogers said, ecstatically.   Rogers initially discovered the sport of weightlifting about two years ago through her participation in CrossFit at her box Altamonte CrossFit & Sports Performance in South Florida. Her own strength was quickly brought to her attention by her coaches, and she was encouraged to begin competing. One of her first competitions was actually the CrossFit Kids’ hosted Teen Gauntlet at the CrossFit Games in 2013. Since that time, Mattie jumped head first into her training and competing to be ‘the best’ in the world.     While this year’s Soul Open 4 will be Rogers’ first appearance in the annual competition, she is no stranger to the weightlifting platform. In fact, she made Team USA this past year, and next weekend, will be her sixth weightlifting meet since last January.     “This year has been extremely busy for me, from Junior Nationals (place: 3rd total, 1st snatch, 3rd clean and jerk), the Hassle Free Open, Junior Pan American championships (3rd total, 3rd snatch), Junior World championships in Russia (9th overall) and University Nationals (2nd total, 1st snatch & clean and jerk), I’ve been all over!” Rogers said.   Rogers boasts numbers such as her Clean & Jerk at 210 lbs. and Snatch at 180 lbs.   “I have one more year as a Junior Lifter and I WILL break a Junior American Record even if it kills me! I've hit them in training, now I just need to perform them and decide which weight class is best for me (I'm Floating between 63 and 69),” Rogers said.   Maybe that record will be broken during the Soul Open 4. All eyes on Rogers. Watch the 2014 Soul Open LIVE on FloElite.com  Related Articles:  Sam Briggs Working to Break Records at 2014 Soul Open  The Countdown Begins to the 2014 Soul Open   

Oct 27, 2014

Sam Briggs Working to Break Records at 2014 Soul Open

The 2013 Fittest Woman in the World to Make Appearance at Soul Open By: Lauryn Lax New Soul Open Athlete to Watch: Samantha Briggs   When you train and compete for a living, you are always “in season” and ready to bring your A-game.   Samantha Briggs, the 2013 Fittest Woman in the World, is a living testament to this—she has been training and competing non-stop ever since last year’s Europe CrossFit Regional upset left her out of a podium spot to compete at the 2014 CrossFit Games.   Briggs’ “fight”, not flight, mentality, however, has propelled her this past year to continue to reach new heights in her training and competing in order to be back in Carson in 2015.   This upcoming weekend, she is preparing to compete in her first Soul Open weightlifting meet in South Miami, Florida.     The sport and competitive weightlifting scene is relatively new to this seasoned CrossFit champ.   “I’ve been working on my Olympic weightlifting. In fact, the reason I signed up for this is the first place is I was coming out to work on my Olympic weightlifting with Danny Lopez (the host) and the dates coincided with the Soul Open,” Briggs said.   While this will be her first Soul Open, Briggs has participated in a couple of lifting competitions in the UK to date, including the Northern Open and the English Championships.   “My best total so far has been 150kg (65kg/85kg) so I'm hoping to exceed that this weekend!” Briggs said.   She is already a step closer.   “I finally managed to Clean & Jerk 100kg last week during my training session,” Briggs said.   Aside from working on her weightlifting, Briggs said she’s primarily been focused on “Lots of CrossFit!”   “I'm working with Laura Sweatt for Power Lifting, Sean Lind for gymnastics, and Danny Lopez for Olympic Lifting, then sprinkling metcons and conditioning on top,” she said.   Briggs was also seen on the competition floor at the Mid American Championships, the Granite Games, and the CrossFit Team Series, as well as the CrossFit Invitational coming up in two weeks.   “I love pushing myself against others. Just recently I was training with Margaux Alverez and Jen Smith in Ohio. After the Team Series I was with Julie Foucher, Camille and Lauren Fisher in Columbus. When I was still in California, I trained with Becca Voigt and Kris Clever. And, next week, Talyana is driving up to throw down with me too! You always push yourself harder when you're going against someone else!” Briggs said.  Watch the 2014 Soul Open LIVE on FloElite.com 

Oct 27, 2014

Gear Up for the 2014 Soul Open - It's Coming

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   FLOELITE TO LIVE STREAM THE 2014 SOUL OPEN   Austin, TX — FloElite, a Flocasts media company dedicated to 24/7 elite fitness  content, is broadcasting this year’s Soul Open LIVE on Novemeber 1-2, 2014.    The Soul Open is an Olympic Style Weightlifting Meet that serves as a qualifier for the US Open as well as the Florida State meet and features a variety of Crossfit Games athletes and National Team members. “This is the fifth year we’ve been running weight lifting tournaments, [and have] 215 lifters, which is almost unheard of for a local meet. We’re bordering on being the size of a national level meet. We have big weight lifters and cross fitters coming out, athletes like Samantha Briggs, Garrett Fisher, Lauren Fisher, Andrew Davis, and Leo Hernandez, who is attempting to break the American record… We play music, have unique graffiti street art, and bring a hip hop flavor to weightlifting meets. We don’t keep it typical to weightlifting competitions, which are quiet and boring.” -Danny Lopez-Calleja, owner of CrossFit Soul.    FloElite is excited to provide comprehensive coverage of all team, amateur and  pro divisions, including those featuring star athletes: Garrett Fisher, Lauren Fisher, Samantha Briggs, Leo Hernandez, Ryan Sennet, Johnny Medina, Andrew Davis, Mattie Rogers, Julissa Gil, Stefanie Cohen, etc. Fans watching the event LIVE at home will be able to switch between live streams to view their favorite athletes compete in real time.    LIVE streaming coverage of the Soul Open can be found on FloElite.com. To watch the Soul Open LIVE on FloElite, you must be a subscriber to the their premium service, FloPro. FloPro subscriptions come in two pricing packages: $20/monthly subscription or $150/yearly subscription.  WATCH THE SOUL OPEN LIVE HERE   ABOUT FLOCASTS   Flocasts, an innovative sports media and events company based in Austin, Texas, changes the way athletes and fans interact with their passion in sports. Focused on untapped sports markets historically neglected by traditional media, Flocasts brings together fragmented communities and provides them the platform to connect with the sports they love through live streaming of premier events, original video programming, weekly studio shows, branded entertainment, and event creation and execution. Flocasts is dedicated to growing and elevating these communities that share a deep commitment to the sports that matter to them: Running, Elite Fitness, Wrestling, and Gymnastics.

Oct 23, 2014

2014 Soul Open Results

2014 Soul Open Results by RedBelt Digital

Oct 21, 2014