Games Bound – Regionals Week 3 Wrap-Up
Written by C.J. Martin
I am not sure week 3 of the CrossFit Regionals could have gone any better. Huge congratulations to Invictus Athletes Kristin Holte, Thuri Helgadottir, Alex Anderson and Sam Dancer on punching their ticket to the CrossFit Games.
This will be Kristin’s third consecutive appearance at the CrossFit Games. This year she overcame a partially torn achilles and some upper extremity injuries, but was never deterred or discouraged. The result is that she turned her obstacles into opportunities and is stronger and fitter than ever before. She also overcame illness on day two of this year’s regionals and came back to set an event record on Event 6 to start day three. She finished the weekend in third overall. We can’t wait to see her back in San Diego to prepare for Games!
Thuri Helgadottir qualified for her second consecutive CrossFit Games, and third Games as an individual. Thuri followed our Invictus Athlete online program in preparation for the last two years’ regionals, and we’ll look forward to spending some time with her in San Diego again as she prepares for the Games in Carson.
Alex Anderson is returning for his second consecutive appearance at the CrossFit Games. I have had the pleasure of working with Alex all year, and he’s one of the most consistent, hard working athletes I have met. Alex finished third in the Central Region. It’s awesome to see all of his hard work pay off!
Sam Dancer earned his first appearance at the CrossFit Games! Sam has become a close friend and a member of our Invictus Athlete camp staff. Sam brings a unique and refreshing approach to training and competition. His first priority is caring for others, and he demonstrates that with his devotion to his community at Q Town CrossFit and to adaptive athletes – please check out his Instagram if you haven’t seen some of his good work. He is genuinely one of the most generous and caring individuals I have had the pleasure of meeting. To see him earn this opportunity to compete and inspire others is extremely rewarding.
Also a huge congratulations to our friend Lukas Esslinger, who took second place in the Meridian Regionals to earn his first appearance at the CrossFit Games. Lukas was a member of Team Invictus Unconquerable at the 2014 SoCal regionals, and is someone that we’ve known would be a huge success. Lukas had to miss Regionals last year because it conflicted with his school finals, but he made the most of it this year. We’re excited to see Lukas in Carson!
