2021 ATHLETES

The men’s 18-34 division features 35 of the top men from the coast! Back this year is the defending champion Anthony Vazquez, who earned a wildcard spot due to an injury that kept him out of the Coastal Qualifier. Vazquez faces stiff competition this year as newcomers like top qualifier Tyler Watkins, Owen Bernstein and 2019 Fittest of the Upstate winner Daniel Sterling are among a DEEP field at FOTC this year.

Across the board, the field of 35 features talented athletes at every spot!

NOTABLES

– 13 men return who competed in 2020 return in 2021

– 8 of the top 10 finishers from 2020 return: Anthony Vazquez, Aaron Harold, James Chakalos, Bentley Christmas, Michael Worsham, Peter Benoit, Brock Buckner & McKeller Proffitt

– CrossFit Wando’s Daniel Sterling is the youngest athlete in the field. He will be 20 years of age at the time of competition

– CrossFit Humidity’s Korey Bromery is the oldest athlete in the field. He will be 34 years of age at the time of competition

– CrossFit 843 boasts the most athletes in the field with four (Peter Benoit, Tom Rodgers, Austin VanDenDriessche, Ryan Doeppel)

The women’s 18-34 division will feature three new faces on the podium in 2021 and among the top qualifiers are Jenna Torres, Ashley Watkins, Courtney Snead (4^th place in 2020) and Brittany Jacket.

New faces to this year’s competition. Include Torres, Watkins, Jacyln DeMiro and Alexandria Beaver among others.

After missing out on the podium in 2020 because of a tie-break rule, Snead is among the top contenders for the title in 2021.

One of the deepest fields can be found in the men’s 35-44 division with a bevy of talented athletes looking to crack the podium in 2021. Among those contenders include 2020 runner-up and top qualifier Brad Townsend, who was edged out by Nathan Scott. With Scott opting to forgo the 2021 championship, the top spot is up for grabs!

Townsend faces stiff competition led by newcomers Zachary Gibbon and Lance Crouch, and an aged-up Kyle Frazier. But lurking amongst the field is 2020 podium finisher Tadd Rubin, the captain of CrossFit 843 Martin Catalioto and other strong athletes like Trey Snow, Joshua Batt and Dwayne Harris.

What could be the deepest and most competitive field of the competition, the 35-44 will surely be fun to watch!

The women’s 35-44 division can be included in the category of MUST WATCH during Fittest of the Coast 2021.

Led by newcomer and top qualifier Kristen Graham, Kelli Magee, Sheila Putman and Amber Catalioto, this division promises to be a dogfight!

2020 champion Meagan Johnson is also back to defend her title after placing ninth in the Coastal Qualifier an aged-up Aly Knott will be a face to watch.

John Kim is back and he’s ready to defend his title in the 45-54 division, but a hungry field awaits the champ. Keep an eye on CrossFit Wando’s Dan Darby and Eric Elder as athletes who will challenge Kim.

In addition, 2020 podium placers David Colyer and George Paraschos are back and ready to rumble!

CrossFit Myrtle Beach’s Tamra Hoy fought her way to the top qualifier spot during the Coastal Qualifier in the 45-54 division. The newcomer will look to carry that momentum into a podium run this April, but the field behind her will be tough to top!

Of the names to keep an eye on are Iron Bridge CrossFit’s Shannon McDaniel and Pale Horse CrossFit’s Jessica Beran. Both women missed the 2020 competition due to injury, but are back and will be tough competitors.

With all three podium winners from 2020 missing from the field in 2021, a new champion will be crowned in April!

Gone is top finisher in 2020 Bruce Krueger, but podium finishers Andy Light (Top Qualifier) and Dave Hardie return. Hardie received a wild card due to an injury that forced him out of the qualifier, but the crafty veteran will look to make his mark on the competition in April!

New faces such as Dennis McClain and Peter Cawley will be touch competitors to top on the floor, while Jim Raymond, who finished third in the qualifier will look to make the podium after placing fifth in 2020.

One of the oldest competitors in the field – Wade Davis – returns for a second year and his motor is second to none!

All three women who finished on the podium in 2020 are back! The defending champion Carol Retundie was also the top qualifier and she will be chased by training partner at CrossFit Crescent Coast Sue Pantano and fellow 2020 podium finisher Febie Knight.

Familiar faces such as Lisa Raymond and Patrice McCloskey are also back, making the 55+ division a tough one once again in 2021.

New champions will be crowned in the teenager divisions! Gone are 2020 title winners Katie McDaniel and Matthew Butts, but the field this year will be competitive as ever!

On the boy’s side, top qualifier Jack Schuessler faces stiff competition from Jesse Hall and Jefferson Sanchez, who took fourth in 2020. Another face to keep an eye on is Cooper King, who took fifth in 2020 as a 13-year old.

On the girls side, Lia Murphy is the top qualifier and will look to top the podium after taking second to McDaniel in 2020. Murphy faces competition from Audrey Curry and Kendall Suggs, both of which competed in 2020. Keep an eye on the youngest competitor in the field Gabriella Rubin, who will look to follow in her father’s footsteps (Tadd Rubin) and make the podium.