ATHLETE OF THE MONTH
February 2023
Nicole Spiotta
"Every day I see a difference whether that’s in my appearance or physical strength. I know with each day comes growth and that is a huge change for the positive, thanks to CFKSQ."
When did you first start training at CFKSQ? About 2 years ago Favorite WOD: MURPH Least Favorite WOD: Sorry - CHAD Tell us about your sports & fitness background: I played college softball, and have coached the game at every level, including...
January 2023
Eric Galaske
"The biggest change hasn’t been in what my body looks like, but in how it moves and what it can do."
Hometown: Kansas City, Missouri Age: 33 Occupation: Digital Advertising When did you first start training at CFKSQ? June 2021 Favorite WOD: No specific workout, but anything with squat cleans or double unders. Least Favorite WOD: Burpees or...
December 2022
Jordan Goddard
"I've never had this type of consistency--coupling nutrition and fitness together. CrossFit has shown me the positive effects that it can have on everything."
Hometown: Chadds Ford, PA Age: 24 Occupation: Occupational Therapy Student When did you first start training at CFKSQ? September, 2020 Favorite WOD: I don’t have a favorite WOD, but I love squat cleans, deadlifts, HSPUs, Thrusters, and Burpe...
November 2022
Fran Smorada
"Loving my body hasn’t always been easy, but since starting CF, I’ve realized that I love looking and being strong and I think that’s the most powerful thing a woman can be."
When did you first start training at CFKSQ? July 2021 Favorite WOD: Any WOD with handstand push-ups and heavy single Olympic lifts! Least Favorite WOD: Anything with the bike and high rep barbell cycling Tell us about your sports & fitness ba...
October 2022
Lori Faust
"I always feel an incredible amount of support from others to finish even when it feels impossible, and now I have the confidence to continue challenging myself..."
Hometown: North Wales, PA Age: 51 (Turning 52 on October 13!) Occupation: Financial Servicing When did you first start training at CFKSQ: Sept 2019 Favorite WOD: Partner Triple 3s Least Favorite WOD: Anything with the bike. The bike and I d...
September 2022
Thom Chiomento
"I never imagined just how much the mental aspect of CF would impact me. I’ve always been athletic and confident, but CF has helped strengthen my mental capacity to push through."
Hometown: Lots of places, but Kennett Square for now. Age: 51 When did you first start training at CFKSQ? March 2018 Favorite WOD: Murph Least Favorite WOD: Fran Tell us about your sports & fitness background: I played baseball, soccer ...
August 2022
Matthew Bunke
"CrossFit has helped me continue my athletic journey, but from a place that I believe is more sustainable for the long term.
Favorite WOD: CrossFit Open 21.3 (for time) 15 front squats 30 toes-to-bars 15 thrusters Then, rest 1 minute before continuing with: 15 front squats 30 chest-to-bar pull-ups 15 thrusters Then, rest 1 minute before continuing with: 15 front squats...
July 2022
Anna Colbert
"I am a lot stronger than I was a year ago. I can do things in class that seemed out of reach when I began CrossFit, and I continue to see changes in my ability every week."
Favorite WOD: Blue Hen Least Favorite WOD: My least favorite WODs are anything with burpees and running, but I always feel accomplished when I show up and complete those workouts. Tell us about your sports & fitness background: I danced for 16 y...
June 2022
Juan Martinez
"Since starting CrossFit I have seen physical changes in my body & my energy levels are way up. Plus, I have lost 50 lbs!"
Favorite WOD: Anything with a barbell Least Favorite WOD: Anything with Burpees & running. Mobility/Accessory Work IYKYK. Tell us about your sports & fitness background: Wrestled in high school Sophomore & Junior Year. How did you...
May 2022
Caitlin Quinn
"I think more than anything, CrossFit has taught me that I can do anything, and I can always push myself further."
Favorite WOD: Anything involving handstand walks or dumbbell snatches Least Favorite WOD: Anything with the bike Tell us about your sports & fitness background: When I was younger I tried pretty much every sport. I have been playing field hocke...
April 2022
Bud Garrett
"I'm surprised at how disciplined I've become. 5-6 days a week would have seemed impossible two years ago."
Hometown: Unionville Favorite WOD: Bar Muscle Ups Least Favorite WOD: Deadlifts Tell us about your sports & fitness background: I played sports only until high school. After that, I lifted here and there in my twenties, ran in my thirtie...
March 2022
Linda Brown
"I am definitely stronger - my endurance, mobility, and flexibility have really improved, and honestly my daily activities just feel easier."
Hometown: Village of Springdell, PA Age: 52 When did you first start training at CFKSQ? I believe the fall of 2019 Favorite WOD: I enjoy a good cardio WOD and deadlifts!! Least Favorite WOD: Anything with thrusters or overhead squats. Tell ...
February 2022
Trish Leach
"I love surprising myself with what I can do and finding out I’m stronger than I think."
Hometown: Oxford, Pa Age: 27 When did you first start training at CFKSQ? March 2020- about 4 days into the pandemic. Favorite WOD: I love a good cardio or chipper workout Least Favorite WOD: Kelly is what sticks out in my mind – although it ...
January 2022
Neeraj Batta
Even after close to 3 years, I am learning that CF is a journey and not a destination. There is no ultimate fitness goal…the goal is to just get better everyday.
Hometown: Kennett Sq, PA Age: 44 Occupation: Business Owner – Engineering Consulting When did you first start training at CFKSQ? April 2018 Favorite WOD: Anything with intervals. I love idea of pushing very hard and then getting a breath t...
December 2021
Casey Wren
"Crossfit has given me the mindset of not being afraid of new challenges and wanting to push myself both physically and mentally."
Hometown: Lansdowne, PA Age: 35 When did you first start training at CFKSQ? 2016 Favorite WOD: Anything that involves the erg/rower. As a taller person, this is one of the few things I excel at in Crossfit and enjoy seeing in WODs. Least F...
November 2021
Alyse Jung
I love feeling strong and being ‘stronger than I look.’
Hometown: West Chester, PA (but born in NJ!) Age: 27 When did you first start training at CFKSQ? October 2019! Favorite WOD: The Open 21.1 and any 20+ minute workout Least Favorite WOD: 400m walking lunges Tell us...
October 2021
Scott Brown
"Now that I am working out every day, my life seems to be organized and with purpose."
Hometown: Hockessin, DE Age: 45 When did you first start training at CFKSQ? Summer 2019 Favorite WOD: All Holiday WODs. I don’t have one favorite, though. They all suck, but I look forward to the long and gritty workouts. Least Favorite...
September 2021
Bob Harrison
"I no longer lose my breath and I feel like I did when I was 20!"
Age: 48 When did you first start training at CFKSQ? February of 2016 Favorite WOD: any chipper Least Favorite WOD: Handstand push-ups and overhead squats Tell us about your sports & fitness background: When I was a child I played football,...
August 2021
Kelly Rubincan
"Overall joining the gym has brought a positive routine into my life and brought back physical challenges that I hadn’t really had since athletics."
Hometown: Wilmington, Delaware Age: 42 When did you first start training at CFKSQ? 2016 Favorite WOD: I don’t really have a favorite, they all challenge me in different ways and the ones that look easy are usually not. I prefer longer AMR...
July 2021
Damion Ham
As I realized I could fight through these crazy workouts, things started to change. My mind became clearer and I became more resilient.
Hometown: Oxford PA, born and raised. Age: 39. Wow, that hurt. When did you first start CrossFit? April 4, 2017. Favorite WOD: I truly don't have one. They all suck, but that's why you're here. I do like box jumps and running. I feel like these a...
June 2021
Maureen Fisher
"I no longer feel that being thin is a sign of being “fit”. I feel that being STRONG is being fit."
Hometown: Croydon, Pennsylvania then moved to Oxford, Pennsylvania as a teen Age: 45 Occupation: I have been a Registered Nurse for almost 25 years! When did you first start training at CFKSQ? February 2018 Favorite WOD: I love deadlifts! L...
May 2021
Haley Redden
CF pushes me to my limits and constantly shows me that I am capable of so much more than I think I am, and that holds true in all aspects of my life.
Hometown: Kennett Square Age: 24 Occupation: Grad Student & Nanny When did you first start training at CFKSQ? I started the summer of 2017 but would only come in the summers through college. I moved back to the area in March 2020 and have ...
April 2021
Ryan West
Scale where needed, push yourself when appropriate, and don’t get caught up in what someone else is doing. Consistency is the key!
Hometown: Berlin, MD Age: 33 Favorite WOD: Maxing out any barbell movement or a short/sprint style WOD Least Favorite WOD: Burpees are my nemesis Tell us about your sports & fitness background: I played sports competitively most of my ...
March 2021
Sydney Brutscher
Through CrossFit, I have gained so much confidence and feel so much stronger, both mentally and physically.
Hometown: Kennett Age: 15 When did you first start training at CFKSQ? 2017 Favorite WOD: Murph or 12 days of fitness Least Favorite WOD: Any WOD with biking Tell us about your sports & fitness background: From when I was really young, I...
February 2021
Liane Veenema
"After starting CrossFit and getting better at it, I love that I feel stronger and it always challenges me."
Hometown: Originally Seattle area, now Avondale PA Age: 36 Occupation: Nonprofit fundraising When did you first start training at CFKSQ? Spring 2019 Favorite WOD: 12 Days of Christmas Barbell or anything with cleans and rowing Least Favorit...
January 2021
John Allen
When I first started, I was way overweight and my triglycerides were in the high 700’s. Per my doctor “a heart attack waiting to happen”. Today, I have never felt better and have never felt healthier.
Hometown: Kennett Square Age: 49 When did you first start training at CFKSQ? I started in the winter of 2015 but not seriously. I took a 2-year sabbatical from 2017 to September 2019 by working out on the couch. September 2019 is when I caught the ...
December 2020
Bailey Pappas
"Go to new heights, don’t be afraid to try new things, and trust yourself. And may the force be with you!"
Hometown: Recently moved to Outer Banks, NC. Formerly, Cochranville, PA. Age: 21 When did you first start training at CFKSQ? February 2019 Favorite WOD: I have fun with workouts that I can do jumping bar muscle ups Least Favorite WOD...
November 2020
Yovany Vazquez
"I never expected to gain such a wide variety of friends and build such a close relationship with them."
Hometown: Moroleon Guanajuato, Mexico Age: 24 Occupation: Welder When did you first start training at CFKSQ? September 22nd, 2019 Favorite WOD: Anything with Deadlifts, especially chippers Least Favorite WOD: Whatever has Thrusters in it. ...
October 2020
Alessandra Fusco
I was overweight when I started and now, 20 lbs later, I think I am in the best shape of my life.
Hometown: Formia, Italy (town by the sea between Rome and Naples….closer to Naples) Age: 31 When did you first start training at CFKSQ? August 2019 Favorite WOD: I know it might sound crazy…but probably Holleyman Least Favorite WOD: whatev...
September 2020
Leslie Benson
"Just get started! I am the queen of modifications, trust me! There is always something you can do. And you never know, you may surprise yourself!"
Hometown: Bronx, New York Age: 49 When did you first start training at CFKSQ? Summer 2017 Favorite WOD: Anything with deadlifts or double unders (I have rearranged my schedule to get to class on deadlift day), or longer WODs with different equipm...
August 2020
Christina McElroy
"Walk in the door. You can do this. Be consistent with your workout routine."
Hometown: West Chester, PA Age: 50 Favorite WOD: Partner Workouts Least Favorite WOD: Any workout with the Assault Bike Tell us about your sports & fitness background: I have always belonged to a gym and I occasionally run a 5K with my...