Manitoulin Secondary School qualifies for Regional CrossFit Competition

CrossFit Competition. A kettlebell, a prowler sled, a stack of bumper plates, bar and bumpers, 95 lbs clevis, rower, plyo box, rupert…the tire, rings and pull up bars are some of the equipment used in CrossFit training, which involves constantly varied functional movements performed at high intensity to optimize physical competence.

Affiliate members who participated in the international competition included back, from left, Erin Rose, Andrew Argall, Peter Tallman, Owen Sheppard, Kieran Cooper, Evan Sheppard, Tristan Packwood-Greaves, Dione Gordon, Tina Balfe and Rachel Bondi; and on the floor, from left, Lucas Proulx, Phil Cress and Jon Balfe. Absent are Steph Charette, Trevor Gelaznikas, Kyle McDermid, Tyler King, Tori Niven, Lisa Pennie and Anne Beam. There are more people who train with the international competitors on a daily basis.

A team from Manitoulin Secondary School will participate in the Regional CrossFit Competition in Toronto from May 11 to 13, 2012.  CrossFit is a core strength and conditioning program popular with fire, police and military personnel as well as athletes worldwide.

In order to qualify for the competition, Manitoulin Secondary School had to place in the top 30 teams in Eastern Canada, which stretches from Ontario to Newfoundland. “This is significant because we are the first ever high school affiliate to qualify for a regional competition,” says Manitoulin Secondary School Principal Laurie Zahnow.

She adds: “There is a core of regulars who participate in the CrossFit training under the leadership of teacher Jon Balfe, but the opportunity for instruction in gymnastics, running and weightlifting is available to every student in our school.”

CrossFit involves constantly varied functional movements performed at high intensity to optimize physical competence in ten areas – cardiovascular and respiratory endurance, stamina, strength, flexibility, power, speed, coordination, agility, balance and accuracy.

“The benefits of regular intense exercise are far reaching,” says teacher Jon Balfe.  “There are direct physical, mental, social and emotional impacts,” he says. “The increase in self-esteem and overall well-being contributes to student success.”

He adds: “The group dynamic that is not gender or grade specific creates a very unique atmosphere in our high school, with Grade 12 students working out alongside Grade 9 students. Students and staff are supporting each other.”

Grade 11 student Rachel Bondi and Grade 12 students Lucas Proulx and Phil Cress will participate in the CrossFit Regional Competition along with teachers Tina Balfe, Jon Balfe and Erin Rose. Lucas Proulx qualified for the individual competition, placing 40th in Eastern Canada. He was also 844th out of the 24,000 competitors in his division worldwide. 

The Regional CrossFit Competition will include six intensive workouts over three days.  “We are very excited to be the first high school affiliate to field a team at the regional level,” says Balfe. “We are training daily in preparation for the event.”

Last year, the CrossFit Regional Competition involved running, rowing, front squatting, over head pressing, overhead squatting, lunging, handstand push-ups, gymnastics work in the rings, pull ups, deadlifts, box jumps and burpees.  “This year’s workouts will be released a few weeks before the competition,” says Balfe. “Until then, we train for the unknown and unknowable.”

The majority of the equipment used in training comes from private sources. Student participants supply a large portion, bringing in their own equipment for use by all members of the school affiliate.

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Media Contact:

Laurie Zahnow, Principal, Manitoulin Secondary School,
Rainbow District School Board, 705-368-7000.