Senior Duncan Bryan competes in International CrossFit Competition Wodapalooza
“CrossFit is a test of your overall fitness. So, the challenge is to be extremely well balanced and be able to handle whatever is thrown at you; it is the ability to do all things and be prepared for anything,” said senior Duncan Bryan’s father, Jon Bryan. Duncan Bryan recently placed eleventh in his division in the Wodapalooza (WZA) Fitness Festival, a highly selective CrossFit competition, held on the weekend of Jan. 12-15 in Miami, Fl.
CrossFit is an increasingly recognized sport of which the ability to perform all aspects of athletics well is necessary to succeed. This may include everything from aerobic exercises such as running, swimming, and biking to having the ability to use upper body strength (like pull-ups, chin-ups, etc.) to doing different forms of weight lifting.
Bryan got involved in CrossFit about 2 ½ years ago when his dad encouraged him to pursue it, but his focus hasn’t always been on CrossFit. Starting at age 5, D. Bryan was involved in sports year-round. He played basketball, baseball, and soccer for North.
“Duncan started CrossFit as a strength and conditioning program designed to enhance his performance in sports he was playing,” J. Bryan said. “[However], what ended up happening was that CrossFit became Duncan’s passion.”
Bryan began opting out of a sport each year. First, he dropped his spot as starting point guard on the basketball team, then his position as starting pitcher on the baseball team, and, eventually even quit his role as team captain in 11th grade for North’s varsity soccer team.
“Sports got in the way sometimes, so that was a complication and I ended up just dropping all sports for that,” said D. Bryan.
CrossFit is many things. For some, it is a unique way to become active, stay healthy, and a different aspect of the gym. It’s built to prepare a participant for unexpected real-life circumstances because CrossFit is spontaneous in that those who are training for competitions are following the opposite of routine.
“CrossFit is incredibly challenging and takes your fitness level to new heights” said J. Bryan. “CrossFit encompasses literally everything. In order to be proficient and successful in competitions, you have to limit and refine your deficiencies. You really can’t be bad at anything or it will be highlighted in a competition setting, especially an elite stage like the Wodapalooza.”
The ultimate goal of CrossFit is to be well-balanced, so one is able to transition and complete the various given tasks quickly. All of this further justifies why D. Bryan was invited to the Wodapalooza, considering his wide variety of sports in the past.
“He was already physically fit, so, to me, that just tells me that someone has dedication, and that they’re thinking ahead of the game. That shows leadership to me: that they’re ready to go at a moment’s notice… So, from day one he was ready, and he was ready to lead,” said Jeff Church, who has coached North’s soccer team and was D. Byan’s coach when he played soccer.
D. Bryan said that the toughest challenge he faced in regards to the WZA wasn’t a particular workout, but rather “doing it in another city, having it be so far away from home.”
Premium CrossFit, located in St. Charles, is the gym where D. Bryan trains. Training on the soccer team, the dedication necessary entailed a couple camps over the Summer, strength and conditioning with another coach was recommended, tryouts, 2 ½ to 3 hours a day, 6 days a week during the earlier weeks, then 2-3 hours a day after school and when games started. CrossFit basically replaced this time, since “he goes directly to the gym every day after school. He is there for a minimum of two hours, many times three hours, and that is six days a week.” said J. Bryan.
“I always like to see students and players pursue their passion. It’s good that he’s doing what he wants to do and doing what he loves, so I’m happy for him,” said Church.
by Sophia Strathman, staff writer