A Surprise Third: CrossFit 204

June 4, 2013

Quin McConnell

"No strategy can replace fitness."

Photos by Mike Warkentin

It’s been a good year for Winnipeg, Manitoba’s CrossFit 204.

Owner and coach at CrossFit 204, Mike Warkentin is exceptionally happy with where his team finished in the Open.

“It was an honor to be listed right next to the affiliates we have a great deal of respect for,” Warkentin says.

Prior to the Open, 204’s aspirations stretched as far as hoping their team would crack the top 10 while wishing they would make top five. However, with recent results, Warkentin says 204 was “lucky to finish third.”

Sending a team to compete at Regionals has been a goal for the gym since coach and team member, Crystal Kirby-Peloquin, competed as an individual at the 2011 Canada West Regional.

This year, CrossFit 204 will send not only a team, but also an individual male athlete, Tyson Takasaki. Warkentin and the rest of the 204 community are very excited to represent in Vancouver this June.

The team is comprised of five coaches and three firefighters. Of those, three athletes have competed in the Canada West Regional previously, and the others have experience in local and inter-provincial competitions.  

“We picked out athletes primarily based on Open performance, but also suitability for the events we expect to see at Regionals,” he says.

Warkentin says the decision for the team was made after the Open, and he wanted to make sure their team would be a group of well-rounded individuals with a balance between strength and gymnastics ability.

With the Canada West Regional on the final weekend, Warkentin says they will be following strategies from other teams and using them to the team’s advantage.

“With that said, no strategy can replace fitness,” he adds.  

Canada West’s third fittest man in the Open, Takasaki is working with Warkentin and the team, to focus on maintaining conditioning while building strength and skill work.

With three teammates being firefighters, shiftwork makes it hard for all members to train together.

“Our competitors train with each other as often as possible, and we put together group workouts that make them communicate and solve problems,” Warkentin says.

While the goal is to qualify for the Games, the level of competition is fierce. But CrossFit 204 is looking forward to competing with the best.