CrossFit Athletic Group

On January 3, 2011 the Champion's Club (apostrophe included at the time) was already about 45 members strong when we welcomed in the entire girls soccer team at Bishop Foley. Around 15 girls participated in some capacity but over the years only one of them stayed. She flew under the radar then and still does to this day. Of course, we are talking about the one and only Rachael Kroll.

Summer 2011 in the Fieldhouse

Over the course of the years Kroll has seen techniques change, members come and go, and even the Champions Club, itself, relocate 5 times (Old Weight Room, Fieldhouse, New Old Weight Room, Jarrod's place, and now our place.) She's also been part of various sub-groups within the gym - soccer girls, 9 amers, College Kids, Woorden/Kroll 11 am Summer session - and brought in her mom and brother to work out with us for extended periods of time. She's trained around injuries in her foot and that weird shoulder clicking thing that keept coming up. All of this while making a 45-minute drive to the gym every day.

You will not see a ton of individual Kroll highlights on here for two reasons: first, and most embassisingly, I forgot about her a lot. She was Owen before Owen. Secondly, Rachael often preferred avoiding spotlight and instead diected it towards the group around her, whether that was Aly, Mr. Auggie, Erica, the Kavanaughs, or Katie Shakes. She even managed to fit in with the Handsome Gentlemen's Club studs Jacob, Faust (who thought her nme was Bridget for the longest time), and Morrow. Despite our best efforts, she could not fly under the radar forever, and was eventually awarded Athlete of the Fall in 2016.

Since 2019 Kroll has been in-and-out due to student teaching and work, but her loyalty and support over the years make her, at the very least, a permanent honorary Champions Club member no matter where in the world she is.

Rachael/Bridget/OG/Kroll, thank you so much for everything you have given to both me, personally, and the Champions Club as a whole for the last decade. You have seen us evolve and have been a critical part to our success. I can't tell you how many people point back to you as the one who made them feel comfortable when they first came in. I hope the days comes soon where we can get you back in here on a regular basis. Either way, hope to see you around soon!

From the vault:

Sass for Class (guest post)

Kroll and Kavs

Pain Rant (guest post)

Quote of the Week vol. 238

Kroll on Plates (January 30, 2018)

Beat Kroll and Win $40

Unfortunately nobody beat Kroll

A New Hope (guest post)

...and one waaaay back in the vault:

1 RM Clean and Jerk from sprint 2012 when we were exlied to Jarrod's place