“One thing that hasn’t changed over the years is the attitude we bring to competition. We’re always grateful for the opportunity to represent our gym, our city and our region at the Games.” ~Adam Neiffer
For the sixth consecutive year, CrossFit Fort Vancouver is headed to the CrossFit Games.
The team took first place in Events 1, 7 and 8 at the 2014 North West Regional, finishing in second place overall, just 7 points behind CrossFit Marysville. They faced some misfortune and had to break in two new athletes over the weekend, but team member Adam Neiffer said the crew was happy to finish strong on the last day of competition.
“Though not ideal, it was good for us to see some wrinkles in our plans and not have things go exactly our way because you can never get too comfortable with where you stand in CrossFit,” team member Andrea Roozen said. “We are all competitors and none of us likes falling short.”
Roozen said the teammate’s spirits were up after regionals, and they were eager to get to work right away to iron out those wrinkles. And that’s just what they did.
At the StubHub Center, Neiffer, Roozen, Erin Taylor, Jessica Core, Allan Dunlap and Bryan Weed will undoubtedly face a variety of obstacles and challenges—including the recently announced 6-mile relay run, Frantasy Land, Triples Chipper and Team Fifties. But they’re ready.
Fort Van Representing
The CrossFit Fort Vancouver team has represented the North West every year since 2009.
“We’ve gotten better every year,” Neiffer said. “We’ve gained valuable experience along the way and learned many lessons through competition.”
Neiffer and the same three women from 2013’s team will return to Southern California, but they’ve added two new men to the crew: Weed, 29, and Dunlap, 22.
“One thing that hasn’t changed over the years is the attitude we bring to competition,” Neiffer said. “We’re always grateful for the opportunity to represent our gym, our city and our region at the Games, and we are also confident that our preparation will serve us well, regardless of what events come our way.”
Taylor echoed Neiffer’s sentiments and said the team feels like a solid unit.
“We were able to really help mold the two new ones into the great unit that we are,” Taylor said. “Over the months, our youngest teammate (Dunlap) has truly risen to the occasion and taken a huge step to fill the spot.”
Core added even though Dunlap and Weed are new members, they bring a lot of value to the team and have the skills to help the team reach its goals in Carson.
“We all definitely have the same mindset, and that is to get a podium finish while focusing on the positives but still working on our weaknesses,” Weed said. “We want to do it all while having a blast, knowing that we are making an appearance at the Games and getting to represent CrossFit Fort Vancouver.”
Sum of Its Parts
Every athlete on the CrossFit Fort Vancouver crew brings unique talents to the competition.
Taylor contributes her tough, loud and positive attitude to the mix, cheering on her teammates and encouraging them to push past their limits, Dunlap said.
“She’ll push you to do a lot more work than you’d like to do. Not just because she’s a beast, but also because she’s always motivating,” he said. “She’s always encouraging, ‘Here we go!’ or ‘We got this!’ She’s never yelling at you like you aren’t giving enough.”
Weed pushes past his comfort zone and encourages others do the same, Core said.
“(Weed) brings that newness that makes you appreciate the little things and not get stuck in a comfy rut,” she said. “His sense of humor is uncanny even if that means he has to be the butt of the joke. He is always willing to help a teammate out and make sure everyone is happy. On an athletic side, he rocks the body-weight movements lightening fast. That, and he brings a lot of hair product.”
Core has the “wow factor,” Taylor said.
“Jess brings the strength, the capacity and the heart to do amazing things … . that extra push, to go beyond what she has ever thought possible when the moment matters,” Taylor said. “When the race is on the line, I want Jess to be there to finish it off because she will be on that mat first.”
Keeping a lighthearted spirit and a sense of humor can break tension and keep morale up, and Roozen—dubbed “Roo” by her teammates—brings that to the competition floor, Weed said.
“Roo brings many things to the team as does everyone else,” he said. “Roo herself brings humor to the table and many, many bathroom breaks … definitely a great competitor on many levels and knows how to turn it on when she needs to. Most of all, she is a very likeable, well-rounded athlete.”
Dunlap brings contagious drive and focus, Neiffer said.
“Allan is the complete package,” he said. “He’s strong, fast, powerful, well-conditioned and has a great head on his shoulders. He understands his role in the context of our team in every workout and regularly exceeds expectations,” Neiffer said.
All the team members credit Neiffer with being the official, unofficial leader and friend. He unquestionably has the support and respect of his fellow team members.
“He’s the glue that holds us all together,” Roozen said. “(Neiffer) has the ability to read each teammate and his/her abilities very well. He’d never ask any of us to do something he doesn’t believe we are capable of. Having said that, you know when he asks you to complete a task, you are going to do it. He makes us all want to be better.”
He sets the bar—and the example, Roozen said.
“When you see (Neiffer) pushing his limits everyday—seriously, every day—you know there is no reason that you can’t do the same,” she said. “He’s an exceptional athlete, an outstanding leader and our biggest believer.”
After taking fourth place last year, the team is hungry for the podium.
“We are fired up to show that we can be the best,” Roozen said.
