CrossFit Athletic Group

by, Jaylee Hall

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Hi everyone, it’s Jaylee. Chris has once again asked me to write a post for the website so I will be doing just that. This time I will be writing about our recently graduated seniors. These seniors have all motivated me to be the best I can be and have been great role models for myself and others. The role models I am speaking of are Emma Lang, Josh Van, Nick Banet or aka “Moustaache”, Kate Robinson, Tea’, and Madison Bettys. All of these members of the Champions Club have had an impact on my life.

First, starting off with Emma Lang. Emma Lang was brought in with my recommendation. I first met Emma playing rec softball in the 4th grade. Since middle school Emma has been a great athlete. She was an excellent forward on our High School basketball team and an amazing left fielder and pitcher on our softball team. This year during our High School softball season, Emma led us to many victories including our district championship. High School politics aside, Emma was our true MVP. In the gym, Emma definitely knows how to get a laugh out of you. Whether she is reminding Chris how he is on the naughty list or playing volleyball in the back on the turf, she can always make you smile. Not only is she a friendly face to have around but she is focused. During a workout, you can find her sprinting past me on a 800. She is always giving it her all and she has grown so much since her first day at the Champions Club. I can’t wait to see what Emma will accomplish in the future. Congratulations Emma!

Summer 2020

Next up is Josh Van. Don’t worry Josh I will try not to embarrass you too much. As some of you know, Josh Van and I are cousins and we grew up together. I still can’t believe Josh is a senior. Josh has been a part of the Champions Club since before covid. His family are the ones that somehow convinced me to join CrossFit. Josh is also the one who gave me my competitive edge. At a young age, we always appreciated some friendly competition. We would stay outside for hours playing corn hole except our only goal of the game was to see who could get all the bags in the hole first and once you did, you could sign the board. Of course, Josh beat me within the first couple tries. This applied to Mario baseball, actual baseball, Mario Cart, Just Dance, Go Fish, etc. No matter how many times I lost, I always enjoyed playing those games with Josh and he would always teach me all of his tricks. This even applies in the gym. During the workouts, I always take a glance at Josh to see how he does things. Although I have not beat him on the 800 yet, hopefully eventually I will be able to pick up on his tricks and work ethic and finally beat him at something. Josh Van not only excels in the gym but he is a great baseball player. Congratulations Josh on all of your accomplishments and I can’t wait to see what comes next!

January 2020

Next is Kate Robinson. I have known Kate since elementary school and first interacted with her during Girls on The Run. If you don’t know what Girls on The Run is, it is a group of young girls that train for a 5K by running around people’s neighborhood wearing identical neon pink shirts and sparkly headbands while doing it. But beforehand you would sit in a cult-like circle and have meaningful talks about not bullying. I know what you're thinking, this does not sound like a club Jaylee Hall would join but I did. For 3 years. I think Girls on The Run is actually my villain origin story for running. That is a different story for a different time. Kate has always excelled and pushed herself at everything she has done. At Girls in The Run she was always the first one done with the 5K. At recess she would always be on the soccer field making all the boys contemplate whether or not they should ever touch a soccer ball again. During the High School soccer season, she led her team to many victories. She even broke the school record for goals made in a single season and made the national dream team. I remember Kate’s first day and she looked very uneasy about joining and quickly she excelled at the Champions Club. Congratulations Kate on everything you have accomplished and I can’t wait to see one of your soccer games at Eastern!

Summer 2022

Another newly graduated senior is Tea’ Rettig. Tea’ was a part of the group that I first worked out with during covid. She was there rain or shine working hard. Tea’s hard work and work ethic always intimidated me. I would watch her kick the soccer ball in the back and knew she was a force to be reckoned with. I have never seen Tea’ in a game, but I don’t have to. I recently worked out with her and Mya and discovered not only is she a hard worker but she is also friendly competition. Although I didn’t beat her once on planks, handstand holds or L sits, I enjoyed working out with her. She not only pushed me but she put up with my annoying and terrible trash talking. Congratulations Tea’ and I know you will achieve everything you want in college.

Summer 2019

Next is Nick Banet or as many know him “Moustaache”. Nick Banet is, in my opinion, one of the best athletes in the gym. He is not only hard working, an outstanding runner and competitive but he is also a team player. Back in December of 2020, he and I were at the same 6:30 session and I had to make up a workout that involved a mile run. It was pitch black and freezing. Instead of running by myself, Nick willingly ran the mile with me. Although it was way slower than his regular pace and was his version of a walk, he  encouraged and talked to me the entire time. Nick Banet is not only a great athlete in the gym but he is also a great cross country runner. I used to say that running just runs in the long line of Banet DNA but I do not think this anymore. Hard work runs in their DNA. Nick is going to achieve many things and the entire gym and I will be rooting him on.

Summer 2019

Lastly, Madison Bettys. I saved the best for last. Madison is a beast to say the least. She is attending the University of Toledo and received a scholarship to play soccer there. There is not a single time I have watched her work out where she “just checks the box”. I have not talked to Madison much but I have learned so much by just watching her. Last summer, during mobility, I remember watching Chris help Madison with her drop step for basketball. I observed and watched each correction she made. She picked it up quickly and she continued to practice it the rest of the session. Later in the year I decided to play basketball again after taking a year off. Partially due to the fact Faith Stinson and I made a deal if I played basketball, she would play volleyball but also because I had nothing better to do with my time. At tryouts, I remembered Madison doing her drop step at the gym and tried my best to mimic what she did at my tryouts. It probably wasn’t as good as hers but I am so thankful that I paid attention to Madison that day and owe her a thanks for unknowingly helping me make Varsity. Congratulations Madison! I can’t wait to see what you will achieve of the University of Toledo!

Summer 2019

by, Madison Bettys

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Sammy Butcher

Summer 2018 Rookie Session

Sammy B is one of the toughest athletes I know. She works extremely hard and from what I can tell, holds her head high and has a good attitude. I don’t work out with her often, but when I do I can tell she really pushes herself to be the best she can be. I’m sure I can speak on behalf of the whole Champions Club when I say that she’s a great person to work out with and even better to be around.

Emily O'Malley

Summer 2019 Rookie Session

Emily has always been someone i’ve looked up to. She’s a beast at soccer and seems to have the work ethic that we all strive for. She works hard and from what I can tell, never lets anything get to her. I seem to always mentally challenge myself against her, and i’m sure others do too. I mean who wouldn’t? She’s a D1 soccer player with a great attitude. She helps everyone get better and I know she’ll have great success with the rest of her soccer career at Butler.

Zander Munk

October 2019

Zander is one of those kids who just seems to be good at everything. Whenever he does something he gives it 110% and seems to enjoy it. Whether it’s running a dreadful 800 or handstand holds, Zander quietly excels in anything and everything. I think he makes a great addition to the Champions club and will go on to do great things. Also, I’m kinda jealous of that amazing handshake thing he’s got with Chris.

Nick Krstich

Lockdown 2020Nick is another very competitive athlete in the gym who poses some serious competition for others. He’s focused and consistent, which helps him reach landmarks quickly in the gym as well as succeed in his football and baseball careers. I can assume he is fully committed to everything he does, which will help him in the long run. I also know he has a great future ahead of him and is yet another great member of the Champions Club.

by, Zander Munk

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Jessica Suchta

Summer 2018May 2021

Jess is no doubt one of the hardest working athletes in the gym. She's extremely focused on soccer and I will almost always see her practicing before or after a workout. I've also recently found out that Jess holds the girl's murph record, which I am not surprised about.

Paris Rettig

Summer 2019

September 2020

Now I have been at the gym with Paris a handful of times, but I can tell she is very passionate about soccer. I still remember seeing her do her first rope climb in September and thinking "damn this girl is strong."

Dillon Sharp

Summer 2019September 2020

So this is the third soccer player I am writing about and from what I can tell is the most skilled of them all. I always wanted to be able to juggle a soccer ball and find it extremely difficult to keep it in the air for so long. Then I look over and see people like Dillion Sharp juggling it like effortlessly, it starts to make you think how talented these other athletes in the gym are.

Hannah Dutz

Summer 2020February 2021

I am not gonna lie Hannah Dutz is probably my favorite senior I am writing about this year. She not only gets me to start talking in the gym, but she is pretty damn funny. She is constantly working hard, improving, and achieving greater goals every workout that passes by. Her upbeat personality not only lifts me up, but she even gets Chris to let out a laugh or two.

Every year I have one of the high school juniors from our group write the Senior Tribute for our Champions Club kids headed off to college next year. Lira wrote this one. Enjoy!

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Avery Maslowski

Avery's first rope climb - December 2016

Avery is a senior at Warren Cousino. She participated in cross country and soccer. She plans to continue playing soccer next year at Indiana Tech. She has such a sweet and loving soul and brings such a special light to the gym.

Andre Saffar

Andre at the rookie session - Summer 2017

Andre is a senior Warren Mott. He participated in cross country, track, and wrestling. He seriously has one of the best senses of humor I’ve ever encountered. However, I have learned not to put him and Dakota less than 3 feet from each other if I’m trying to focus. Those two together are pure comedy! Big dog, I’m gonna miss the laughs.

Owen Munk

Owen at the Summer 2018 Rookie session

Owen is a senior at Bishop Foley. He participated in cross country, track, and basketball. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Owen even think about not pushing himself to his limits. He’s always on the ball and ready to work the hardest he can.

Anthony Banet

Anthony at the Summer 2019 Rookie session

Anthony is a senior at Warren Mott. He participated in cross country and track. The best phrase I can use to describe Anto would be silent but deadly. The kid is quiet, but man can he kill a WOD. What can you expect; it’s in his blood.

Adam Bordoley

Adam at the Summer 2019 Rookie session

Adam is a senior at Seaholm. He participated in cross country and track. Adam definitely is a source of comedy at the gym. It has even been rumored that he’s Mrs. Bennis’s favorite Bordoley (we’ll see about that). He was the 2019 athlete of the fall, proving he is a hard worker as his positioning and technique have come very far for spending a short amount of time at the gym. Don’t worry, I will say goodbye to him for all of you when I help move him into Grand Valley State University this Summer.

Victor Davis

Victor at the Summer 2019 Rookie session

Victor is a senior at Royal Oak and is involved in track and “random shirtless pickup basketball games when he’s supposed to be social distancing” (lol thanks for that detail Chris). Vic is super-fast and always pushes himself. Through Shannon’s running club this year, he was really able to hone his abilities as an athlete.

Ethan Hana

Ethan finishing his last Fundamentals session - November 2019

Ethan is a senior at Bishop Foley. He participated in Powerlifting, Robotics (lol), and track-ish? He was going to run this year we swear! If only the ‘rona hadn’t hit :(. Definitely another quiet asset and literally a sweetie to everyone.

Jack Decker

Decker's Day 1 of Fundamentals - November 2019

Jack is a senior at Bishop Foley. He participated in cross country and track. Besides outwardly hating on everyone’s favorite healthy shake and energizing tea hotspot, Jack has brought such a fun presence to the gym ever since he joined; he’s a jokester. Recently, he was awarded the Frank Guyott Boys Cross Country Scholar-Athlete-Leader award from the Catholic High School League. Congrats Jack!

To all of the seniors, thank you for the time you’ve spent here with us; no matter how long or short it’s been. It has truly been a pleasure to interact with you all in and out of the gym. I hope my words did all of you beautiful people plenty of justice. Personally, I have enjoyed spending my time with you all. I hope that you all achieve the goals you’ve set for your futures. But also, don’t be strangers :)

Love you all!

Every year I like to have one of the juniors write up a few sentences on the graduating seniors as they prepare for their last Summer with the Champions Club before going off to college. Though we'll see them around during Christmas and random weekends, it definitely does mark the end of an era for them, and I like to hear about it from the perspective of someone in the gym.

This year, Owen Munk wrote up the senior tribute.

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Carter Warthman

Definitely one of the funniest dudes in the gym. Usually he’s talking about rap or making South Park references with Chris. In the gym he really pushes himself and is pretty strong.

Conor Fitzgerald

I’ve only seen him a handful of times at the gym but I remember seeing him at a warren mott track meet doing the hurdles and I was like Dammmnnn dude can hurdle. In the gym he’s definitely a hard worker and pretty fast on the runs.

Danielle Worden

Probably one of the coolest and nicest people you’ll meet. She’s just about always at the gym and works super hard at every workout. Oh and she got all state for powerlifting this year.

Katie Budo

Katie’s still pretty new here but we've talked a couple times and she’s super cool. She’s a really hard worker and is super tough. She’s also got a black belt in karate and is joining the marines so watch out for that.

by, Danielle Worden...

Jennifer Banet aka Jen

One of the most hard working athletes I know. She never gives up especially when it comes to breaking records. Off days you ask? Jen doesn't know what those are. Not only is she a top athlete but she enjoys what she does. Whenever I see her in the gym she never fails to have a smile on her face. She shines bright and inspires those around her. Overall she is an amazing person and I can't wait to see what the future has in store for her!! Good luck girl!

Jennifer's first day at the Champions Club - Summer 2014

Brendan Crawford

I honestly didn't know his first name until a month after meeting him; I only knew him as Crawford. Oh boy where do I start...besides calling everyone a "Jew" Crawford is a pretty good kid and actually quite intelligent, outside the gym. But in the gym he works hard until the work is done and from there on out it's all fun and games. He is definitely the goofball of the gym yet his dumb jokes never fail to put a smile on someone's face. The gym will be much quieter without him but overall his work ethic and personality will be missed. Good luck at Macomb and Lawrence Tech!

Crawford and his 11 am goobers from Summer 2016

...and Carter the Blob

Aaron Sexton

Aaron is one of the weirdest people ever. He can roast you and then be cool with you. A big part about what kept me trying to compete with the rest of the people in a workout is just to beat Aaron a brag to him(never beat him). He has this weird catchphrase that makes no sense whatsoever but is just so odd and catchy that Chris and I both say it. Holy potatoes Jim, its been awhile since you been in the gym.  (That rhymes, I'm a poet and I didn't even know it)

7th grade Aaron Sexton - Summer 2013

Dawson Bielski

I was hella impressed ever time I saw dawson play football and he'd be out on the field. Crossfit has worked wonders on him and from a perspective of a younger highschooler it was interesting to see someone built to be a jock be so chill and relaxed. I would always laugh when he pulled up with the purple Dodge Charger. That was so funny to me.

Super Gump in the flesh with his first double under. Summer 2016

Kenny Jensen

KENNYYYYY. By far one of the quietest people in the gym but that's ok. He works his ass off any work out I've seen him in. I remember the good ol' no on squad with Crawford, Kenny, and the little short kid(matt?mike? Something with an M). That was fun and I'm glad Kenny would be one of the few i tried to keep up with. He always gives his full and I'd like to see him back in the gym some day.

Kenny's death stare in his rookie class at Summer 2016

by, Brendan Crawford

So every year our Champion Club seniors are being released into the adult world. This year's seniors are Erika Banet, Kris Campbell, Kaleb Diana, Hadley Hopkins, and Emmanuel Myles. Each one of them are a great addition to the gym community. Although they're maturing, each one of them has their own comical traits that anyone at the gym would recognize at a moments notice. From crazy dance moves to a big ole' blue pick-up truck, we are proud of their accomplishments.

Summer 2013, a few days removed from 8th grade

Erika Banet, one of many Banets, I have heard she has been apart of the gym for quite some time now and has definitely made a name for herself. She's generally really nice and funny and you can catch her doing either basketball, soccer, or working out at the Champions Club.

Big Kris - Day 1 of Fundamentals. May 2014

I've known Kris Campbell for quite some time and he is a pretty funny guy and a hard worker. One of my favorite memories of him is when him and Chris tried to wrestle and Chris went down in less then 10 seconds. It was a Kris on Chris pancake. Wrestling aside, he is a great leader and will prove to be a greater one in the future.

Everyone knows when Kaleb pulls up because of the big blue truck with the American flags. I've know this guy for 4 years and I know for a fact that he is a hard worker and some of the stuff this guys says is the funniest I've ever heard. Another name you may know him as Kaleeb-Cabob as the cross country team made his nickname or from me screaming it XD.

I don't know much about Hadley but I have run into her at a few sessions and although our schools are rivals, she seems to be a great athlete and never showed any annoyance with any workout. I know she is recovering from a knee injury, so hopefully we'll see her back with the gym soon.

Emmanuel Myles, or as I know him as a crazy fast sprinter, hasn't been introduced to me until I met him in class this year but from his air drumming in class to his dance moves at the gym, he's a pretty funny guy.He is probably the best sprinter I've ever met and when you see him run, man he is haulin.

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Congratulations to our seniors and thank you for helping make the Champions Club so great! Good luck in college and I will be happy to see you all back at the gym.