FORT SILL, Okla., Aug. 22, 2019 -- Goldner Fitness Center's first individual CrossFit competition "Fittest in the Fort" drew over 50 athletes during the all-day event Aug. 17.
It was the third functional fitness competition sponsored by Fort Sill Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation and hosted at Goldner, said Stacey Oliver, Goldner's facility manager.
"This was probably my favorite competition that we've done so far because we really challenged the competitors," Oliver said. "We pushed the boundaries for the scaled and Rx divisions for weight and movements."
There were three levels, or divisions of competition, she said.
The scaled division was for athletes who are just getting started in functional fitness, or who haven't mastered some of the difficult cross fitness events.
The master's division was for competitors age 40 and over, and its events were the same as the scaled division.
The Rx, or prescribed division, was for experienced functional fitness athletes.
There were three workouts of the day (WoD) in each division, with events such as weightlifting, jumping rope, pull-ups, and hand-stand push-ups.
Army 2nd Lt. Sydney Moskovitz, a Field Artillery Basic Officer Leader Course student, finished first in the women's Rx division. She said she has competed in functional fitness competitions in her home state of Tennessee. She said functional fitness classes are a great way for Soldiers to meet.
"You gain really good friendships and people come out and support you in a good community vibe, especially in the military where you're traveling a lot."
What do Soldiers take from competition to the battlefield?
"Decision-making and confidence, for sure," she said.
Although it was an individual competition, service members could compete as part of their brigade. Their individual scores were combined, and the brigade with the highest score was deemed the fittest brigade. That honor was won by the Fort Sill Marine Artillery Detachment (MARDET).
Marine 2nd Lt. Kaylee Daitz, a basic artillery officer student at the MARDET, said she had never competed in a functional fitness event. Still, she finished third in the women's scaled division.
"I do Olympic lifting, and obviously we (Marines) PT (physically train) a lot," she said. "A couple other guys in my platoon were competing, and they urged me to, so I thought it'd be fun."
What did Daitz gain from the competition?
"I got to meet a lot of new people, including some Soldiers," she said. "It's always good to get out and get some PT, get a little mental toughness, and do something new."
She added: "It was so fun, it was really hard, and I'm going to sleep really, really well tonight."
Maj. Gen. Wilson A. Shoffner, Fires Center of Excellence and Fort Sill commanding general, congratulated the competitors for crushing it, and thanked all the supporters. He presented awards to the top finishers.
From competition, service members gain that warrior spirit that they will use on the battlefield, the general said. It's all about winning, and to do that, Soldiers and Marines must be physically fit and mentally tough.
Most importantly, functional fitness is a way to push ourselves, and make ourselves better, he said.
The general also recognized the Goldner staff, and the dozens of volunteers who helped run the competition.
Oliver invited MWR patrons to take advantage of the free CrossFit classes at Goldner. The classes are instructed by certified level 1 and 2 CrossFit coaches.
The classes are for all levels of CrossFit, and the coach will modify an individual's workout to accommodate any previous injuries that he or she may have had, she said. "The coaches are there to make sure you have a safe modification so that you can do the workout."
Classes are offered Mondays through Fridays, at 5:15 a.m., and 9 a.m. In the evenings, it is offered Mondays and Fridays at 5:30 p.m. On Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, classes begin at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. On Saturdays, CrossFit is taught at 9:30 a.m.
She added that if there is enough interest, an adaptive CrossFit class will be offered. "We would love to get an adaptive program at Goldner."
Goldner's next CrossFit competition, Ghost Thrusters, will be Oct. 26, as a two-person, same gender team-competition. For more information, visit sill.armymwr.com, or Goldner's Facebook page.
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