June 13, 2014
The Story in South East

During this year’s South East Regional, Noah Ohlsen found himself in a familiar spot: first place at the end of Day 1. But in 2013, he slipped in the days that followed to end his weekend in seventh place overall.

“I’m not gonna let that happen this year,” the 23-year-old said as the first day of competition ended in 2014.

It wasn’t easy. He had a slew of capable athletes giving chase; among them was Elijah Muhammad, former training partner to three-time CrossFit Games champion Rich Froning. With a 40-inch vertical, Muhammad made easy work of Event 5, which included legless rope climbs.

Meanwhile, on the women’s side, Emily Bridgers was on a mission to finally qualify for the Games after finishing the regional in fourth in 2012 and fifth in 2013.

“What I have to do is go out there and do what I know how to do,” she said with a smile.

Veteran Games competitor Shana Alverson, who did not qualify this year, added some perspective that all athletes could appreciate.

“Every year the grind is hard to get to regionals, make it to the Games. And every single year the grind gets longer and harder, and so there has to be something inside you that’s moving you forward and really supporting that.”

Video by Mike Koslap.