Son1 Athlete

Thunktank · Post by **Thunktank** » 02 Jul 2022, 09:06

My oldest son is an athlete. He specializes in CrossFit competition and related disciplines. He’s worked hard at everything from swimming, to gymnastics to Olympic weightlifting. In fact, on Wednesday we were in Los Vegas where he competed in the Nationals for Olympic weightlifting. He has been concentrating his efforts on that because that was his greatest weakness. He has made large gains in the last year in that department. Came out pretty well this week especially considering it was his greatest challenge.

Today he is in Florida on a Florida Grid League team, The Orlando Aces. His couch recruited him when she saw him in other venues. It’s a dynamic CrossFit type sport, but each team has specialists for the various types of competitions. My son is a “body weight specialist.” He’s the youngest person on his team.

We woke up at 6AM west coast time to watch him compete live. He played a key role to help his team win this morning and we just learned that he was the fastest at his burpee competition ever seen in the league in over ten years. Let’s hope this puts his name on the map. He needs sponsorships. He’s a rookie, and while others are making some money at this, my son needs to learn how to build professional relationships.

On a side note, we are still trying to find a good fit for him in picking a college/university. He didn’t get accepted at any of his preferred schools and given his athletics, he needs a school located in an area that can support his athletics.

On

gaining_age · Post by **gaining_age** » 02 Jul 2022, 11:27

That's really cool! Thanks for sharing!

Post by **Biff** » 02 Jul 2022, 13:34

Thunktank wrote: ↑02 Jul 2022, 09:06 His couch recruited him

Huh. My couch recruits me on a fairly regular basis too!

jmg · Post by **jmg** » 02 Jul 2022, 15:24

Good on 'em.

sweetandsour · Post by **sweetandsour** » 03 Jul 2022, 11:53

Congrats, and all the best to your son! Hope he finds just the right school.

FredS · Post by **FredS** » 03 Jul 2022, 12:20

This is fantastic. You're right too be proud of him.

JimVH · Post by **JimVH** » 03 Jul 2022, 16:39

Outstanding.

Good kids = good parents. Congratulations.

Del · Post by **Del** » 03 Jul 2022, 16:49

I'm super-proud for you and your son!

A couple of questions: I don't know anything about CrossFit or anyone who does it. It's a pro-sport? Do colleges have scholarships for this?

Colleges used to be keen to bring on kids who show discipline and excellence in any sort of endeavor. Why doesn't he have competitive offers from several elite schools?

And what is a "body weight specialist"? I looked out on the web, and it appears that CrossFit has several different applications. One purpose of exercise is to loose weight -- so I guess he is good at the exercise programs that help a guy to lose weight. Is that the idea?

coco · Post by **coco** » 04 Jul 2022, 14:57

Del wrote: ↑03 Jul 2022, 16:49And what is a "body weight specialist"?

What I'm not.

Thunktank · Post by **Thunktank** » 04 Jul 2022, 17:01

Del wrote: ↑03 Jul 2022, 16:49 I'm super-proud for you and your son!

A couple of questions: I don't know anything about CrossFit or anyone who does it. It's a pro-sport? Do colleges have scholarships for this?

Colleges used to be keen to bring on kids who show discipline and excellence in any sort of endeavor. Why doesn't he have competitive offers from several elite schools?

I have trouble determining if you are asking a question or or being somewhat combative about whatever it is you’re asking about. It looks like what you’re asking is, “if your son is so great, why doesn’t he have a scholarship?

Elite levels of CrossFit is professional, and my son is playing at that level. There is money in the sport, but it’s not NFL money. There are no scholarships for CrossFit yet. Additionally, elite CrossFit has competitive age ranges. My son did very well on team sports in school such as lacrosse and football, he was highly sought after by every coach who knew him. He does CrossFit because he loves it and finds great value in it beyond the money. I don’t understand it at all. It’s one of the most painful sports in existence! CrossFit and Olympic weightlifting, much like Strongman competition has a very wonderful and positive competitive culture and comradery and fabulous sportsman.

The sport took a big hit a couple of years ago when the CEO founder of it was found making derogatory statements about certain groups of people. A lot of big money funding went away. But the organization is working on bringing it back without the bigotry.

And what is a "body weight specialist"? I looked out on the web, and it appears that CrossFit has several different applications. One purpose of exercise is to loose weight -- so I guess he is good at the exercise programs that help a guy to lose weight. Is that the idea?

I am no expert on the sport, I still have a ton of questions every time I travel to an event. But roughly, a body weight specialists does the competitions that don’t require external weights. Burpees, handstand push-ups, rope climbing, rings and several other exercises. My son is extremely fit, very fast and agile. He was a very good gymnast, unfortunately we didn’t know to get him started in time. That’s a whole other topic.

A lot of people do use CrossFit for fitness. The sport is often said to have the fittest people in the world.