2013 CrossFit Games Preview: South West 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 West Region.

While the South West Region is yet to produce a CrossFit Games winner, it has produced some of the top competitors over the past decade.

With names like Matt Chan, Chris Spealler and Colleen Maher, qualifying through the South West Region has always been a tough task.

Men

The South West region produced one of the most memorable CrossFit moments in 2012, when veteran Chris Spealler defied the odds to qualify for his 6th straight CrossFit Games. Along with Spealler, Matt Chan and Patrick Burke were the other two athletes who qualified for the 2012 showpiece at the South West Regionals.

But with Spealler announcing his retirement last year, the door opens for another male competitor to step up in 2013.

After finishing tied for 4th at the Regionals last year, both Matt Hathcock and Zach Forrest will be hoping to go one better this time around. While Matt Chan and Patrick Burke will be hoping to pull out repeat performances and qualify for the 2013 CrossFit Games.

2012 Regional Results:

1. Matt Chan
2. Patrick Burke
3. Chris Spealler

Women

The females half of the South West Region doesn’t have the big names like the mens division does, although it is still just as competitive.

In 2013, Colleen Maher claimed the Regional title, although went on to finish 40th at the Games. Jasmine Dever, who finished 2nd at the Reigonals, also struggled at the Games, finishing in 39th place.

Becky Conzelman (3rd place at Regionals), however, seemed to improved on the big stage, ending the weekend in 14th place overall.

In 2013, all three athletes are expected to return to the competition floor.

Other names to watch out for in 2013 include Emmalee Moore (4th at Regionals in 2012) and Tiffany Hendrickson (5th at Regionals in 2012).

2012 Regional Results

1. Colleen Maher
2. Jasmine Dever
3. Becky Conzelman

Team

While the South West Region has never produced an individual winner, it has produced a team winner, with Hack’s Pack UTE claiming the Affiliate Cup in 2012.

Tommy Hackenbruck’s team is expected to defend their title in 2013 and should be favourites to do so.

Other teams to watch out for this year include Matt Chan’s gym, CrossFit Verve (7th at 2012 Regionals), Bomb Squad (17th at 2012 CrossFit Games) and Front Range CrossFit (11th at 2012 CrossFit Games).

2012 Regional Results

1. Hack’s Pack UTE
2. Front Range CrossFit
3. Bomb Squad