Jefferson City teen will compete in Olympic-style competition

New challenges welcome

Noah Casey, 17, completes power clean Thursday, June 14, 2018, during a workout at Jefferson City Crossfit.
Noah Casey, 17, completes power clean Thursday, June 14, 2018, during a workout at Jefferson City Crossfit.

A Jefferson City teenager soon will go up against 19 other teenagers in an Olympic-type competition.

Noah Casey, 17, was chosen to compete in the CrossFit Games, which will take place Aug. 1-5 in Madison, Wisconsin.

Sponsored by CrossFit Inc. and Reebok, the competition has been held every summer since 2007.

Casey said he was chosen after he competed in workouts that he and the other contestants learn about a few days beforehand. They consist mostly of an assortment of standard aerobic, weightlifting and gymnastics movements, typical of the CrossFit regimen.

"We submit videos to CrossFit, and they grade them," Casey said. "In the teen division they take the top 200 in each age group. Then we have another online competition, and the top 20 get to go to the games."

Casey estimated 2,000-4,000 people competed in the teen division.

"I'm not into sports, per se, but I like what CrossFit does," he said. "I like how it varies. I'm not doing the same thing every day. There's a new challenge each day."

Casey said his parents, Sam and Natalie, started CrossFit before he did.

"All age groups can get involved in something like this," Casey said. "It depends on the person, but it does help a person gain strength if they are looking to compete in particular sports. That's what CrossFit is based on."

Casey said the part he specializes in is Olympic weightlifting, which has two exercises: the snatch and the clean and jerk.

"The snatch is where you take the weight from the floor to over your head, and the clean and jerk is where you take the weight from the ground to your chest and then over your head," he said. "I was involved in weightlifting before I got into CrossFit."

Casey said not many teens locally are doing CrossFit training, but with more exposure that could change. Casey's parents and some of his friends from the gym plan to go see him compete. Although the teen competition might not be broadcast, those who want to follow the games can do so at cbssports.com.

"I really do enjoy it, and I hope I can compete as long as I can," he said. "Next year, I'll have to get into the adult category, and it's super competitive; so I'm hoping I can make it to the second qualifying process."