2013 CrossFit Games Preview: NorCal Region

With the 2013 CrossFit Open just weeks away, we thought we’d take some time to preview every region taking part this year.

Today we take a closer look at the Northern California Region.

In the sport of CrossFit, there aren’t too many areas more synonymous with the sport than the NorCal Region.

When CrossFit hit the scene back in 2000, Northern California was one of the areas the sport blossomed the most.

Not only was the first ever CrossFit Games held in the region, at The CrossFit Ranch in Aromas, but the area has produced some of the biggest names in the sport.

Jason Khalipa, Neal Maddox, Annie Sakamoto, Miranda Oldroyd, Pat Barber, Jenny LaBaw and Blair Morrison are all still competing in NorCal, and there is no doubt it is one of the world’s toughest Regions to qualify through.

Here is a look at some of the names to watch out for in 2013:

Men

The NorCal Region is arguably the hardest region for any male athlete to qualify through to the 2013 CrossFit Games.

As well as 2008 CrossFit Games champion Jason Khalipa, the area also boasts a number of competitors who have won events at the Games, like Pat Barber and Neal Maddox.

After claiming the Regional title for the past two years, we can expect Khalipa to again be the man to beat. However, there are a stack of other names who could easily pinch the title off him.

Three-time Games competitor Pat Barber will be back in 2013, after missing last years Regionals with a burst appendix. Neal Maddox will also be a threat after his impressive performance at last year’s CrossFit Games (20th).

Other names to watch out for include 2011 5th place finisher at the CrossFit Games, Blair Morrison, Gabe Subry (3rd at 2012 Regionals), Joey Warren (4th at 2012 Regionals) and Shaun Eagen (6th at 2012 Regionals).

2012 Regional Results:

1. Jason Khalipa
2. Neal Maddox
3. Gabe Subry
4. Joey Warren

Women

While the womens division doesn’t boast as many big names as the mens half does, there is still plenty of female talent in the NorCal Region.

Jenny Labaw will be favourite to defend her title after a solid performance at the 2012 CrossFit Games. While an injury forced her to withdraw from the event on the second final day, LaBaw was inside the top 25 athletes for most of the weekend.

CrossFit veteran Annie Sakamoto is also a huge chance to claim the 2013 Regional title, as is 3rd place finisher at the 2012 Regionals, Candace Hester.

Other names to look out for include Miranda Oldroyd (7th at 2012 Regionals), Sarah Hopping (6th at the 2012 Regionals), Elyse Umeda (5th at 2012 Regionals) and 2010 Regional Champ Lauren Galassi.

2012 Regional Results:

1. Jenny LaBaw
2. Annie Sakamoto
3. Candace Hester

Team

After a podium finish at the 2012 CrossFit Games, Diablo CrossFit Anejo deserve to be favourites again in 2013.

The team has been one of the most consistent performers in the NorCal Region finishing 3rd in the past two years.

Other teams to watch out for in 2013 include 2012 Regional Champions CrossFit 808, RCF Honey Badgers (2nd at the 2012 Regionals) and 2011 Regional champs TJs Gym Mill Valley.

2012 Regional Results

1. CrossFit 808
2. RCF Honey Badgers
3. Diablo CrossFit Anejo