Local Resident Qualifies for SteelFit Championship

Julia Tasca of Collegeville qualified for the Finals of the Super SteelFit Championships, a series of intense qualifying fitness competitions leading up to the championship on the Jersey Shore, which held its first qualifier at the Toms River National Guard Armory on Saturday, April 26th.

Sixty-five athletes from all over New Jersey and Pennsylvania competed in four different workouts, which included deadlifts, thrusters, burpees, rowing, and a bear complex ladder, that tested various aspects of fitness.

For the Women’s Scaled Division, Danielle Phelps and Sarah Weiss, both of CrossFit Inspire (PA), Cathy Mastorio of CrossFit Sayreville, and Julia Tasca of CrossFit Valley Forge (PA) qualified for the Finals.

“I thought it was really well organized and everyone who ran it was nice and friendly. I liked all the WODs; they were challenging, but fun,” said Sarah Weiss. “I’m excited to be on the beach for the Finals and see what the WODs will be.”

“I’m excited for the beach too. I will have to modify my training a bit,” said Danielle Phelps. “It’s pretty exciting to be at a new box and doing so well there.”

For the Women’s RX Division, Kayla Smith of South Mountain CrossFit (PA), Lauren Conner of CrossFit Arx, Michelle Wisla of CrossFit Valley Forge (PA), Kristen Graham of CrossFit Toms River, Autumn Schatzow of CrossFit Shrewsbury, and Claudia Vazquez of CrossFit Shrewsbury, are all advancing on.

For the Executive Division, Monica Sinibaldi of CrossFit Arx is advancing for the Women’s Executive division and John Lancaster of CrossFit Tribe and Gino Kang of Cutting Edge Fitness are both advancing for the Men’s Executive division.

For the Men’s Scaled Division, the finalists are Charlie Haines of CrossFit Inspire (PA), Richard Mazza of CrossFit Razor, Stephen Moll of CrossFit Climax and last year’s Men’s Scaled Champion, and William Brunner of CrossFit High Water. 

For the Men’s RX division, Anthony Vazquez of CrossFit Shrewsbury, Casey Haines of CrossFit Valley Forge (PA) and last year’s Men’s RX Champion, Michael Clancy of CrossFit Shrewsbury, Brandon Wolf of CrossFit Shrewsbury, Brandon Whittington of CrossFit Cetro, Tim Simansky of CrossFit GSP, Kevin Varno of CrossFit Sayreville, and Juan Vazquez of CrossFit Shrewsbury will all be competing at Jenkinson’s in the Finals.

“There were premier RX athletes competing at Toms River, major regional level type competitors. We knew they would put on a show for everyone- and they did,” said Armand Milanesi, event founder. “However, it should be noted all our Scaled and Executive athletes also competed at a very high level,” explained Milanesi.

Michelle Wisla, Casey Haines, Michael Clancy, Brandon Whittington, and Stephen Moll will be making their second appearance at the Finals.

Siblings, Anthony, Juan, and Claudia Vazquez, from CrossFit Shrewsbury all qualified for the Finals and will also compete at Jenkinson’s.

“We heard about SteelFit through Michael Clancy (of CrossFit Shrewsbury) who competed last year,” said Anthony Vazquez. “I thought it was awesome and had a great time. Every workout brought something different to the table and that’s what’s great about CrossFit.”

“It’s been a competition between us since we were young - whether it’s fighting for the television remote or CrossFitting,” said Juan Vazquez.

“It’s fun to have each other here supporting one another, but then we are still also very competitive,” said Claudia Vazquez.

Juan Vazquez added, “It’s on, Anthony. That’s all I have to say. It’s on.”

This year’s Super SteelFit Championships corporate partners include the New Jersey Army National Guard, Scion, Nutrishop, North Jersey Orthopaedic Group, Jack-EE-Boyz Equipment, Champion System, Atlas Power Wraps and JAG Physical Therapy. In addition, there were representatives from Strengthlete (formerly Heavy Athletics Nutrition), Warrior Wellness Center, Schuylkill Valley Sports, Legends Body Sports, Caveman Cookies, and Paleo Cuisine on site.

The Finals will be held on the beach at Jenkinson’s Boardwalk on Saturday, June 21st with the final ‘SteelFitters’ competing for over $7,500 prize purse.

For more information about the Super SteelFit Championships, visit www.steelfitchampionships.com.