Week One in Review: Central East

February 28, 2012

Josh Bunch

For the first time since 2009, Caity Matter Henniger, 2008 Games champion, has thrown her hat into the ring.

Subtle tremors shook the ground February 22 as Open Workout 12.1 went live. Thousands of athletes slam their chest to the floor on their way too accumulating more than 5 million burpees. Welcome to the season opener.

With the release of Open Workout 12.1, the Central East was given a playing field that all of the sudden looked even. Just this workout was surprising, yet familiar, so is the Central East’s Leaderboard at the close of Open registration on Sunday.

SURE THINGS

No one is surprised that CrossFit Games competitor and former gymnast Julie Foucher is currently in 2nd place in the Central East, and 8th in the world, with a score of 135. With one workout into the season, Foucher reminds us why she led the Central East in 2011 with her 5th place CrossFit Games finish.

Nipping at Foucher’s heels we find CrossFit games competitors Lisa Shiu and recent Central East transfer Lindsey Smith, both of who managed to remain in top 15 contention with scores valued at 119 and 118, respectively. When one rep could potentially decide a Regional bid, you can bet burpees are on the minds of athletes everywhere.

It would be in poor taste to predict an entire season from its season opener, but when it comes to the tried and true Central East men, their numbers speak for themselves. Current Games champion Rich Froning scored 141 reps while training directly beside his new training partner, and 2011 Games competitor, Dan Bailey who got 138 reps. Froning securing a 5th place Regionals finish and 42nd worldwide. Bailey is sitting in 9th in the Central East after the close of the first workout.

SURPRISES

For the first time since the 2009 CrossFit Games, Caity Matter Henniger (2008 Games champion) has thrown her hat in the ring. With a score of 104 burpees, Henniger proves she’s still got it.

However, the past champion balance was shaken when 2010 champ, Graham Holmberg failed to break into Regional contention with a score of 122 reps, landing him in a tie for 87th place in the Central East region.

2011 Regional team champions CrossFit Ann Arbor also delivered an Open Workout 12.1 performance that will not grant them entry to regionals come May if the pattern persists.


So far, the door is left wide open for the top team in the Central East. The Afterburners, an affiliate team located inside Wright Patterson Air Force Base, a military affiliate. As a team, the Afterburners scored 722 burpees cementing their lock on 12.1.

*The scores and rankings are unofficial until Tuesdays at 5 p.m., PT.