Athletes tests skills at CrossFit competition

McALLEN —Sweat, tears and a determination to push through the pain propelled dozens of athletes to try their best in a fitness competition.

More than 70 athletes from Central and South Texas gathered Saturday morning at the parking lot of Ranger Crossfit for a full day of competition at the third annual Border Wars Competition.

Despite the pain in her muscles, 30-year-old Erica Sanchez pushed on as she did a sequence of exercises using a weighted bar. The drill involved her doing a sequence of lifts to complete one set and doing as many as she could in a span of seven minutes.

“I love it,” Sanchez said as she caught her breath after the competition. “The adrenaline rush you get from this you can’t get anywhere else.”

Sanchez has been working out for almost a year and has competed four times, placing in the top 10 in all of them.

“You psych yourself out to be able to push through during the competition,” she said.

Crossfit is not about weight or looks; rather it’s about living a healthy lifestyle and achieving that through an exercise program that incorporates several aspects of fitness, said event coordinator Miguel de la Fuente.

“This is one of the fastest growing sports,” de la Fuente said. “Under proper supervision, anyone can get involved in Crossfit regardless of age or shape.”

The proceeds for the competition will go to Operation Outreach RGV, a non-profit organization that helps low income families and veterans.

Ildefonso Ortiz covers law enforcement and general assignments for The Monitor. He can be reached at Iortiz@themonitor.com and at 956-683-4437.