We know Brooke Wells was nervous when strict muscle ups were announced, but I’m not sure anyone expected a 32nd place finish from the reigning Central Regional champ. The finish moved her from 1st to 11th at the end of the day, and will make her road to the Games a little steeper.

[instagram url="https://www.instagram.com/p/BFAwiNQvHou/?taken-by=brookewellss" hide_caption="0"]

Brooke Wells shouldn’t be too worried yet though. Alessandra Pichelli also finished low on Event 2 (she took 31st), and still managed to finish her Regional weekend 3rd overall. Like Wells, Pichelli also finished 1st on Event 1. Her average event finish after Event 2 was 7th. Likewise, Madeline Sturt had a 36th place finish and still managed to finish the weekend 5th overall.

If Brooke Wells is aiming to keep her title of Central Regional champ, she has an even steeper uphill battle though. The lowest event finish we saw of a female Regional champion yet was one 17th finish by Lauren Fisher. Her average event finish (outside of that one) was 4.5. Last year Brooke Wells’ had 29th and 26th place finishes and still managed to take 1st overall. She took no lower than 4th outside of those two events. All proving, it’s possible, but won’t be easy.

Sheila Barden and Nicole Holcomb tied for 1st, each reaching the time cap with 21 reps remaining. Historically, Barden has done well on events involving strict movements, so the event win should be no surprise. Both were maintaining their pace and continued to string together sets of strict muscle ups well after the competition had dropped to singles.

Stacie Tovar finished the event in 9th, and Julie Foucher in 10th.

Leaderboard:

1. ​Nicole Holcomb
2. Sheila Barden
   
3. Stacie Tovar
   
4. Jennifer Smith
   
5. Nicole Chovan
   

Brooke Wells sits in 11th, Julie Foucher in 14th, and Elisabeth Akinwale in 17th. 

Photo Credit: Sheila Barden Instagram (@sheila_sue)