Every day athletes show their stuff at first ever Gladiator Games
By Jennifer Kneuss
July 30, 2011
311
Summary: Place a group of hard working cross-training enthusiasts in a gym like setting, and youre sure to see just how far the human body can be pushed. For fourteen contestants, the first ever Gladiator Games in New Philadelphia pushed them to give their very best, for a stunning display of athletic ability.
Sweat glistened across the brows of both contestants and spectators alike as the first ever Gladiator Games were held in the New Philadelphia Firehouse on July 30 under hot and humid conditions. Eleven men and three women competed in weightlifting and cardio -style competitions to see who would come out as the fittest of them all in each category.
The man behind the competition was Brandon Winnie, who has been with the New Philadelphia Fire Department for ten year.
This is the first time, but we want to keep this going as an ongoing thing, said Winnie, one eye on the current competitor and a clipboard in his hand. There are a lot of different 5ks and stuff, all geared toward runners. I wanted there to be something different for those who are athletic in other ways. I just wanted to do this as another type of competition, and got the fire department involved and local businesses involved as sponsors.
The cross-fit competition is a combination of several different types of fitness.
We started at 8:30 am, and did three rounds of workouts, explained Angel Andreas of Sugarcreek. First, we run 700 meters, then we do 21 kettle ball swings. Guys use a 55 pound weight and the ladies use 35 pounds. Then come the pull-ups, with the guys doing 21 and the girls doing 12. Following that we do 21 double under jumps with the jump ropes. Then we turn it around and repeat it immediately two more times.
Andreas admits the competition can be exhausting. We repeat that whole process three different times.
Her friend, Kayla North, also of Sugarcreek, admitted that Andreas had talked her into taking part. But now Im having a blast. This is awesome, and the support of all the spectators is great.
Ive been involved in this type of cross-fit training for four years, explained competitor Justin Westfall, 25, of Dundee, who also recently opened Freedom Fitness studio in Dover. I played semi-pro football for two years, and when the league shut down, I kept working out with a friend. I found out I loved this, so I started competing that year. There are qualifiers for the national Cross-Fit Games, and I started training for that, by training for a sectional qualifier. I came in 66th out of 180, not bad for a beginner.
Westfall, who was obviously spent from a full morning of competing, paused to take a swig of much needed water. I love cross-fit because it involves the whole body.
In fact, Westfall enjoyed it so much that he became a certified cross-fit trainer.
I wanted to help other people get fit, and Im a faithful believer, so I did a lot of praying about it. In March 20011, I opened the doors, and its going really well. Today Im helping to support this competition.
It ran really smoothly, and I was really proud of all the contestants and all of the spectators, commented Winnie. The camaraderie between everyone was pretty neat.
Winnie noted that every contestant paid $40 to enter, and all workers were volunteers from the fire department. Proceeds will go toward the charities the firemen support, including the Muscular Dystrophy Association and Share a Christmas. All contestants received a t-shirt, and the winner of the mens and womens competitions each received a $75 VISA gift card. The top three places in each contest also received medals.
The thing about cross-fit training is that these are things we can use in everyday life, said Westfall, as he turned to cheer on another competitor. Its not about competing or winning; its about getting together and having fun
Winners were:
Women:
1st Angel Andreas (Sugarcreek)
2nd Kayla North (Sugarcreek)
3rd Janelle Miller (Dover)
Men:
1st – Mike Bolte (Newark)
2nd Jeremy Schlabach (no city available)
3rd: Justin Westfall (Dundee)
