Yesterday was a big day for Industrial Athletics, the Home of CrossFit Alloy. Â It was the 2014 Winter Chiller in Fairmont, WV and the first time Industrial Athletics had 7 athletes compete in one competition. Â It also marked the largest Industrial Athletics cheering section for any competition outside of Pittsburgh.
The Athletes
Even though we had a few athletes withdraw from the competition for personal reasons, we still had 7 competitors. Â This marked the most in our short history. Â 4 out of 7 were athletes who had little to no exposure to CrossFit before joining our community. Â 4 out of 7 were competing in their first competition. Â 6 out of 7 moved on to the semi finals (4th WOD). Â 2 out of 7 competed in the finals. Â Jake, in his first competition made it to the finals in the Novice Division. Â Coach Alicia made it to the finals in the Open Division. Â JP, competing in his second competition, made it to the semi finals in the Intermediate Division. Â Susan, her first competition, and one of Industrial Athletics’s oldest members, made it the semi finals in the Intermediate Division, to her great surprise. Â Brian, in his first competition, made it to the semi finals in the Novice Division. Â Steve, in his first competition, PR’ed his body weight workout (after testing it 3 or more times), overhead squatted 75lbs 13 times, (another PR) and shouldered a 200lb atlas stone (a third PR). Â Coach Matt (CrimLaw) made it to the semi finals in the Open Division.
These accomplishments cannot be overstated. Â Way to go everyone. Â We are so proud of you.
The Crowd of Support
Those who were competing got there early. Â For awhile, we were it, but we knew they were coming, and they did. Â Before the first event, the Industrial Athletics/CrossFit Alloy crowd poured in. Â The distance to the competition didn’t stop them and they were all covered in blue and white. Â As an owner, it was amazing to see the supportive community we have built. Â As an athlete, it was incredibly motivating and resulted in a lot of PR’s for the competitors. Â The design of the competition floor permitted to spectators to be right next to the athletes and we abused this privilege. Â During the rowing WOD, our competitive rowing team: Chelsea and Jackson, were positioned right behind our athletes screaming cues and coaching us for the entire 2000m. Â Even though we are not a strong rowing box, their support helped our athletes be some of the first to come off the rowers in each heat. Â The design of the competition also kept our crowd engaged from the time the first WOD started. Â This kept everyone pumped up and loud. Â At times, we were the loudest in the large gymnasium and everyone know when an Industrial Athletics/CrossFit Alloy competitor did something impressive.
A competitor can never thank his/her support crowd enough for coming and sticking out the long days. Â We truly believe that our success is directly proportional to our size of support. Â Thank you, thank you, thank you. Â We also received numerous messages on social media that did not go unnoticed. Â If you were unable to make it, you were missed in person, but felt in spirit. Â Thank you.
The Crossfit Open is next, so local Competitions will return this Spring. Â In the meantime, the Open is a fantastic opportunity to introduce yourself to competition. Â We will continue to grow as a gym and as a community. Â This spring/summer we will continue to participate in local competitions and hope to have even more athletes and spectators.
— Matthew (CrimLaw) Becker