Story in the Central

Athletes from the North Central and Central East regions gathered at the Minneapolis Convention Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, for just five spots in each division of the CrossFit Games.
On the women’s side, redemption was a common theme. Stacie Tovar and Lindy Barber were looking to qualify after missing out in 2014, and Nicole Holcomb, Elisabeth Akinwale and Shelia Barden had goals of getting back to Carson, California, yet again. And one young rookie was just hoping to make a splash. Brooke Wells did just that by winning Event 1-Randy-in a record time of 2:21.6, then going on to win the regional.
Perhaps the most devastating and inspirational moments came from four-time CrossFit Games competitor Julie Foucher. After suffering an Achilles tear in Event 3, she completed as much of the remaining events as she could-clad in a medical boot. Foucher has said 2015 is her last year of competition.
“That’s the heart of a competitor right there,” analyst Bill Grundler said of Foucher as she muscle-snatched 85 lb. in Event 5 after a booted handstand walk that earned her 11th place. “That’s a true competitor-‘Keep me in the game ’cause I want to play.’”
The men’s side had a similar mix of veterans hoping to make it back, rookies hoping to get their chance and longtime regional competitors hoping to finally make it to the Games.
In the end, the Central is sending just two rookies-Wells and Alex Anderson-and eight veterans-Holcomb, Tovar, Akinwale, Barber, Scott Panchik, Jacob Heppner, Nick Urankar and 2010 champion Graham Holmberg.
Video by Marston Sawyers.
26min 05sec
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[@JB11334]

Still breaks my heart that Julie isn't going to the Games. Can't believe it!!

[@taozen1]

There are a lot of great athletes that make the games but Elisabeth Akinwale being in her mid 30s is an absolutely amazing accomplishment. I bow down to that extraordinary woman.

[@somesinger1575]

Oh my goodness, it's going to be so great having Josh Bridges Commentate for The Games this year!!! Great video!

[@Tribtrip246]

Wow, when the stood up and gave her an applause I felt emotional as hell. Great stuff.

[@cameronmenendez773]

Ow, the feels watch Julie walk along the floor with the crowd coming to its feet for the standing ovation. That was such an amazing sight. Also Jacob Heppner just got a new fan! That guy is funny and seems really awesome. Hope to see more of him in future videos. Anyone know the shorts he was wearing? The grey and black striped Nikes?

[@M1NH42]

Brooke Wells & Julie Foucher... 😍😍😍

[@supercarsofgotham8255]

Sex sells don't it

[@mauijim3000]

I've watched this probably 5 times over the years and Julie still makes me tear up; heart of a champion

[@FSUvinny]

Its nice that you let the grownups edit the last two videos, they're so much better than the previous three.

[@BroncoPH]

Vincent Printy I thought the South was pretty good

[@Sythe81]

+Vincent Printy they are all shit, cross fit is a joke

[@GregNaturalImpaktJones]

Just because others can excel at movements you have never tried or even heard of doesn't mean it's a joke.

[@wil_leighton1618]

best regional story out of them all!

[@meinfeedly4020]

Once again: great editing, dramatic music, big emotions. A pleasure to watch. Thanks.

[@BigDuneRacing]

That was an emotional video

[@ejhein2621]

I saw event three come up and I thought "do I want to cry?"

[@SouthPhilipAfrica]

This video is way better than any of the other videos. CrossFit® , give the producer of this video a larger salary.

[@bball1niner]

Seeing Julie tough through the weekend in person was one of the gutsiest things I've ever seen in my life.

[@fakk0]

The most impressive "story in" for me.

[@TrueRay17]

Might have a crush on Brooke Wells lol. Anyways this was awesome with julie and everyone. Great edit!

[@bertvsrob]

TrueRay she's no Alex Parker =p

[@bertvsrob]

to like whom? =p

[@jawanterrell8012]

TrueRay yeah who doesn't! that amazing rear and those amazing thighs. omg.

[@nruss9912]

They got lucky Julie got hurt, cause she would've dominated everybody

[@nruss9912]

@Kaiden Archer will you just stfu idiot

[@mundanemornings]

Wow this one is so full of emotion! ALL of the feels.

[@Mrgazza55555]

Amazing athletes!

[@delunadenny7084]

Brooke and Julie. I would rather not say what's on my mind

[@btdean02]

Sick production on this video CrossFit® !

[@lopu11]

the end is so emotional

[@abbyk7341]

the editing on this thing is really cool

[@dixieagcaoili6813]

Punched me right in the feels. Good Stuff!!

[@na21m]

damn i got teary eyed

[@aznPoweRCreW]

Jacob Heppner is my new favorite athlete

[@ApriliaRS50Nerogp1]

To bad we won't see Panchik vs Bridges on the games, that was something I was really looking forward to. But hey! Bridges commentating on how Panchik goes all out at the games sounds good to, right?

That was so freakin hard to watch. And I don't even know Sheila Barden...

[@zeta.ophiuchi]

So sorry for Julie. Why do they use that soft boxes after all? They are potentially dangerous, no matter how skilled you are. It's a wonder only her got hurt.

[@crossfit223]

14:50 ... one awesome human being!

[@MrDavesoutdoors]

14:50 that's what Crossfit it all about!! Rock on!

[@aaronsilva5784]

That ankle monitor strap.. Just makes you wonder if the tension on the tendon caused the tear.

[@mixanikos2]

Julie was really a hero. Hope you heal fast girl.

[@alexlora1126]

Brooke wells omg

[@gabequecedo1712]

I love Brooke wells

[@sarahursic1151]

Just when he said this girl is on fire , jinxed it .

[@hungdang9874]

No Rich No Party

[@PeteEstes77]

Cried twice #ThanksFoucherandTovar

[@AlexRuttkowski]

Anybody know the name of the songs/music at 02:30 and 20:20?

[@chrisandsteph5766]

Alex Ruttkowski Killing myself trying to track down 2:30

[@matthewdykes1259]

+Burrito Loco its vice amphibious zoo music

[@chrisandsteph5766]

Awesome. Found it. Thx

[@yogevnach]

25:30 what's the name of this dubstep song

[@adammada511]

put 8:59 at 0.25 speed :) you're welcome

[@alexgonzalezreyes7760]

2:16 name of the song pls

[@Knyce924]

Alejandro González Reyes Likely custom, they make a lot of their own audio

[@nirmalyam4794]

I love how these absolutely badass men are soo goofy and is so upto joking around when its time for that... 😍. I don't even want to talk about Julia.

[@9RedJohn9]

How come that the 3-4-5th place finisher is always happier than the 1st?

[@finnsterism9]

They tend to be the ones who aren't expecting to make it. Top finishers usually know they are going/doing very well. At least that's what I'm guessing

[@manolo1130]

9:40 she also had to feign an injury, as justification, because didn’t withstand the pressure.

[@strupotter]

14:45 I'm not crying you're crying

[@grantgalliger8578]

The story of Julie

[@aaronsilva5784]

Skipped around a little bit but no Rich footage?

[@JMTEAMROPER1]

heppner is hilarious

[@VicTriesCoding]

pause 2:46

[@vina464]

thanks bra....

[@luigui013]

Songs anyone?

[@ghowinem]

2:46 The editor is a male.

[@spanielka16]

Yeah older girls can do it!

[@neversaw]

Sam Dancer 😍😍😍

[@224dragonslayer]

Every time I see these girls go through each repetition I wonder how they haven't received their physical/metaphorical balls, this stuff looks gruesome.

[@gabrielgiroux8966]

2:46

[@gabbydimasi5060]

whats the difference between a womans bar and a mens bar jw i am new to crossfit

[@averagedude1986]

Crossfit is going to be boring as hell if they ever start to seriously drug test.

[@nruss9912]

Lol everyone would be out of shape lmao

[@mrglamorama]

CrossFit® So Castro's response to questions about steroid use is: "For now, yeah, we aggressively test"? With no specific explanation, so we're just supposed to take his word for it? And prior to that, his major contention is that people PROBABLY aren't using it at the top levels? So the people who clearly have no chance are using it in the Regionals, but the people who view CrossFit as a career and rely upon it for money--the superstars--have no motivation to use because . . . you just KNOW they don't? I'm amazed (and should probably stop feeling so) that a company demanding so much evidence and proof from others is consistently able to skate by with non-answers and unsupported "science" in every facet of their existence. And people just eat it up. Unreal . . .

[@Ekruger7]

They do drug test...

[@GirlYouTalkTooMuch]

Wilson Tenney too bad they already do

[@crossfit223]

Wilson Tenney ...smh whaaa! those girls are stronger than me.... they MUST be "using." Do you even lift?

[@pflo7795]

Julie foucher had it won. Unless some other chick just somehow started running high octane the rest of the weekend, no way Julie would have lost. She could have even won the games. I said whoever won on the men's side would be a paper champion because of droning dropping out, but I would be bold enough to say that about the women's side too considering her shape going into regionals.

[@pflo7795]

Froning* typo...

[@juanyo4141]

Come on lady you can Valente girl

[@Yeet20001]

how in the world a 19 Yr old girl develop that much muscle that quick? if she was a track runner with scholarship she had to be lean to be fast enough to compete, and in one year bulk that much??

[@Yeet20001]

Luis Bonilla she still HOT AF tho.

[@mindreaction]

3:00 such a sweet young lady and then... 3:15 omgshetalksasfastasshecanrunineedtotakeabreathandhittheslowbuttonhashtag just kidding, lindy barber is awesome. :) and then.... 3:30 ahhh sigh Julie Foucher... the girl next door. the Winnie cooper. the Kelly kapowski of Crossfit. she's a breath of fresh

[@strangetribe]

I cant believe men actually show up at a stand to talk about people doing squats

[@jeremypeanutbutter6560]

8:59 I must go to crossfit ....just to watch 😋😋😋

[@nruss9912]

Is Sam gay? Just wondering