2013 CrossFit Games Preview: South East 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 South East Region.

As one of the most populated regions in America, qualifying through the South East is always a challenge. Especially when you have names like Talayna Fortunato, Jamie Gold and Chase Daniels to compete with.

The South East was also once home to dual CrossFit Games champion Rich Froning, who won the Regional title there in 2010.

Froning has since moved to the Central East division, although there are still plenty of talented competitors in the South East who have the ability to mix it with the best every year.

Men

Despite never winning a Regional title, Brandon Phillips has been the standout performer in the South East region over the past few years, qualifying for the past three CrossFit Games.

Although when it comes to performing on the big stage, Chase Daniels has a better record. In his past two years competing at the Home Depot Center, Daniels has finished 16th and 19th respectively, while Phillips has failed to make the top 30.

Other names to watch out for in 2013 include Guido Trinidad (29th at the 2012 CrossFit Games) and Jared Davis (2011 Regional Champion).

2012 Regional Results

1. Chase Daniels
2. Brandon Phillips
3. Guido Trinidad

Women

By far the biggest name in the South East Region is podium finisher at the 2012 CrossFit Games Talayna Fortunato. Fortunato came from nowhere in 2012 to claim a Regional title, and then finish 3rd at the Home Depot Center in July.

In 2013 she is definitely the one to beat in the female’s division. Although there are plenty of other top competitors in the Region.

Shana Alverson has qualified for the past four CrossFit Games, finishing 38th in 2012, while Jamie Gold finished 31st at the Games last year.

Other names to watch out for include 2011 Regional Champ Leah Polaski (5th at the 2012 Regionals), Cheryl Nasso (9th at the 2012 Regionals) and Emily Bridgers (4th at the 2012 Regionals).

2012 Regional Results

1. Talayna Fortunato
2. Jamie Gold
3. Shana Alverson

Team

The Team division is wide open in the South East Region with six different teams qualifying for the CrossFit Games in the past two years.

CrossFit Atlanta should be the team to beat in 2013 after claiming last year’s Regional title and finishing 10th at the CrossFit Games.

CrossFit Hardcore, who won the Regional title in 2011, finished 9th last year and will be in the mix as well.

Other teams to watch out for include CrossFit Vida Brickell (4th at the 2012 Regionals), CrossFit Adrenaline (2nd at the 2012 Regionals) and Gardens CrossFit (5th at the 2012 Regionals).

2012 Regional Results

1. CrossFit Atlanta
2. CrossFit Adrenaline
3. Hustle Hard powered by HEW