The Central Regional: Who's It Going To Be?
The Central Regional: Who's It Going To Be?


All eyes will be on the Central Region this weekend to see who’s going to be ‘on top’ now with four-time Central East Regional and Games champ, Rich Froning, out of the men’s individual competition.
The ladies’ side is equally competitive with several returning Games qualified athletes making their way to Minnesota to prove they have what it takes to be back in action.
Who’s it going to be?
Men and women from the Central East and North Central Regions bring the three week long of Regional season to a close this weekend, with the advantage of having seen others go before them, a little extra practice with the events, and lots of gusto, with new records to set.
Here’s who to keep an eye out for:
Men:

Jacob Heppner: As the “2nd fittest man” at the 2014 North Central Regional, Heppner made his debut at the Games last year where he took a middle-of-the-pack 18th place. The year before, he took 18th place at the 2013 Regional. If Heppner’s success is any foreshadowing of what a difference a year can make in his own CrossFit game, he’s definitely one to watch. The former collegiate linebacker is self-trained in the sport only until last year, right before Regionals, when he began working Competitors’ programming with CrossFit Invictus. Now, a full year of training AND Games’ experience under his belt, Heppner marches into the weekend with more confidence then ever before.

Justin Allen: Allen missed his third consecutive trip to the Games by one spot last year at the 2014 North Central Regional—seemingly repeating history from the 2011 Regional when he took 5th overall in his first year competing. Losses are where champions are made though. Both Lindsay Valenzuela in California, and Samantha Briggs in the Atlantic Regional, are shining examples that loss makes one hungrier—and stronger—to come back for more; both earning their spots back to the Games in 2015 after being knocked off the podium in 2014. The 29-year old, full-time employee at Magellan Midstream Partners, and father of two (ages 7 and 4), has a strong support system of cheerleaders behind him and some serious drive to be back in action (after all, how many competitors nowadays have a full-time job outside the gym?).

Scott Panchik: Three-time “top-5” Games finisher from the Central East Regional has been Froning’s ‘shadow’ the past couple years—finishing second to the champ at both the 2013 and 2014 Regional. Now, with Froning out of the running will Panchik be the one to rise up? Over the years we’ve witness Panchik develop from Games rookie—with no real formal CrossFit coaching—to now, coached up athlete, who now coaches other athletes through his online-based Competitors programming.

Alex Anderson: Named ‘one to watch’ in 2015 by Tommy Marquez of CrossFit HQ, Anderson finished third in the Central East Open, underneath Froning and Panchik, and 8th in the world—a big improvement from last year, in his first year competing as an individual, when he took 25th worldwide in the Open and 8th place at the Central East Regional. Reflecting back on his inaugural Regional, he said, “It gave me a great idea where I stood amongst these elite competitors; going into regional’s I really was uncertain where I would rank amongst these guys. I was also able to see where I needed to improve and how I needed to adjust my training.” Adjusting his training meant getting even more serious and train as much as he could every day. An adherent of CrossFit Invictus’ online programming, his sessions varied from day to day, but generally a first session typically included strength work, Olympic lifting, skill work and conditioning, and, later on, a second session of “more of the previously stated activities.” Now, one year later, going into this weekend, Anderson said, “I have learned how to focus on the little things in training and in life. I am constantly trying to improve every facet of my game to become the best CrossFit athlete I can be.”
Women:

Julie Foucher: After taking time off in 2013 to focus on her studies for medical school, Foucher made her comeback last year, in 2014, taking the Games by storm with a 3rd place finish overall—earning the title of “3rd fittest woman in the world.” While she is still very busy outside of competing as both a student in the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine (Case Western Reserve University Class of 2017), and a member of the CrossFit Level 1 Seminar Staff, Foucher has not let either of those get in her way of training to be back in 2015 in Carson for her hopeful 5th time. Since 2010, she’s placed no lower than top-5 overall at the Games, claiming the 2nd place spot in 2012—her highest finish to date. There’s no doubt that Foucher has her eyes on pushing past whatever it takes to be on top of the podium—both at the Regional and Games level of competition.

Stacie Tovar: Another veteran Games competitor (5x), like Foucher, Tovar’s personal mission is simple: “I want to compete at the highest level possible and have fun doing it, all while continuing to be a positive force in the CrossFit community.” Tovar loves competing and has continued to do so—between the Regionals and Games seasons—over the years. Her most recent accomplishments include: 4th Place Individual East Coast Championships (2015), 2nd Place Team WODAPALOOZA Miami 2015 (S. Tovar, M. Vollmer, J. Zambruno), 1st Place Team 2014 CrossFit Team Series (S.Tovar, E. Bridgers, B. Smith, S. Panchik,), 4th Place 2014 Granite Games, and 1st Place 2014 Crush Games. Last year, Tovar took 6th place overall at the North Central Regional—meaning nothing more than outright: she is determined to take top 5 in 2015.

Nicole Holcomb: Tied with Foucher for 1st place in the Central East Open this year, Nicole Holcomb made her ‘big coming out’ last year, in 2014, when she took 2nd place at the Central East Regional in her 3rd year as a competitor. Unfortunately, between Regionals and the Games last year, she suffered a back injury that forced her to be less than her peak come the Games where she took 32nd overall—struggling through the weekend. This past year, she’s been doing nothing than rehabbing and training to be back stronger in 2015. The former competitive gymnast trains seven days per week under the Conjugate Method, as well as works with Chris Henshaw as an endurance coach and Greg Simmons for Weightlifting. Now, feeling healthier and stronger than she ever has, Holcomb is excited for the 1 rep-max snatch as the first event.

Elisabeth Akinwale: A top CrossFit Athlete with four CrossFit Games appearances and two consecutive North Central Regional crowns .In addition, she is also accomplished in the sport of Olympic-style weightlifting with three USA Weightlifting National qualifications and American Open Weightlifting Championship appearances. Akin wale took 14th at the Games last year, with her best finish ever being in 2011 (7th place overall at the Games). As a ‘staple’ athlete, year in and year out, the super strong Akinwale is not going to let 2015’s upped level of competition get to her.
Team to watch:
CrossFit Mayhem Freedom: We could not forget to mention the team that everyone will be watching this year: CrossFit Mayhem Freedom. Will Froning be a one-man show? Nope, but there’s no doubt that there were some serious decisions made as to deciding what six individuals would make up the roster. This team is in it, to win it, and there’s no telling what’s been going down in Cookeville, Tennessee over the past several months except lots of hard work.
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