2013 CrossFit Games Preview: SoCal 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’ll have a closer look at the Southern California Region.

There is no doubt, SoCal is one of the most famous regions in the sport of CrossFit.

When Greg Glassman first found CrossFit back in 2000, Southern California was one of the areas the sport blossomed the most in its early stages.

Today the SoCal Region boasts a number of top Games athletes, and is widely regarded as one of the tougher regions in North America.

Men

It’s fair to say the men’s division is wide open in SoCal, with a number of athletes talented enough to qualify for the 2013 CrossFit Games.

Last year, Jon Pera, Kenneth Leverich and Jeremy Kinnick all qualified for the Games, although none of them managed to make it to the final workout (Pera 23rd, Kinnick 31st, Leverich 17th overall).

Of the three, Leverich has been the most impressive performer so far this year, winning the OC Throwdown in January, and beating the likes of Neal Maddox and Tommy Hackenbruck in the process.

Other names to look out for in 2013 include, Bill Grundler (5th at 2012 Regionals), David Lipson (9th at 2012 Regionals) and Josh Golden (early leader in the 2012 CrossFit Open).

2012 Regional Results:

1. Jon Pera
2. Kenneth Leverich
3. Jeremy Kinnick

Women

Qualifying for the 2013 CrossFit Games probably won’t get any harder than going through the Southern California region.

The area boasts a stack of big names including 2010 CrossFit Games champion Kristan Clever, Lindsey Valenzuela, Rebecca Voigt and Valerie Voboril.

While the Region will be a little bit easier in 2013, with confirmation Katie Hogan is relocating to Northern California, there is still a number of athletes who are capable of qualifying for the Games.

With Clever being a former winner, there is the chance of four athletes qualifying for the 2013 CrossFit Games, just like last year.

Other names to watch out for this year include Andrea Ager (5th at 2012 Regionals), Madelyn Curley (7th at 2012 Regionals) and Anne Austad (9th at 2012 Regionals).

2012 Regional Results:

1. Kristan Clever
2. Rebeca Voigt
3. Valerie Voboril
4. Lindsey Valenzuela

Team

Southern California also boasts one of the biggest names in the Team division, in CrossFit Invictus.

Over the years CJ Martin’s gym has been widely regarded as one of the best boxes to train out of. It also boasts a number of top Games athletes, including 2011 runner-up Josh Bridges.

While CrossFit Invictus has never won an Affiliate Cup, they did finish 4th at the 2012 CrossFit Games.

Other teams to watch out for in 2013 include, Team CDR Redlands (2nd at 2012 Regionals), Brick Nation (11th at 2012 Regionals) and Mean Streets of Downtown LA (18th at 2012 Regionals).

2012 Regional Results:

1. CrossFit Invictus
2. Team CDR Redlands
3. CrossFit SoCal