The CrossFit Strength in Depth Sanctional wrapped up this weekend. The favorites heading into the competition withdrew leaving the door open for a Games rookie to take the top spot. After Day 1, Poland’s Bronislaw Olenkowicz was leading Drew Wayman and David Shorunke.
With three events on Sunday, the men’s leaderboard was packed near the top. Olenkowicz held a slight advantage but that disappeared after a 10th place finish on Event 5 followed by 14th on Event 6. Wayman’s 6th and 4th place finishes moved him into 1st with one event remaining. Shorunke also moved ahead of Olenkowicz heading into the final event.
The final event was a couplet of 6-4-2 rope climbs and 100kg (220 lbs) thrusters. At last year’s Central Regional, Wayman struggled on the final event which also featured rope climbs and 155-pound thrusters. Wayman dropped out of the top 5 and failed to qualify for the CrossFit Games last year.
Now in a similar situation, Wayman was unable to keep pace with Olenkowicz and the rest of the field. Olenkowicz was 22 points behind Wayman and needed a strong finish along with some help. Olenkowicz did what he needed and won his heat, good for 3rd overall in the event.
Roman Khrennikov, Shorunke and Adrian Mundwiler crossed the finish line while Wayman was still on the floor. Wayman would eventually cross the line in 10th place.
After a long wait to calculate and double check the scores, Olenkowicz was crowned the champion. Wayman and Shorunke would both fall just six points short. Khrennikov finished 4th.
With the win, Olenkowicz has qualified for the 2019 CrossFit Games. He is the first rookie to qualify for the Games this year. On top of that, Olenkowicz earned $3,500 Euros (approximately $4,000 USD).
Final Standings:
1) Bronislaw Olenkowicz (526 pts)
2) Drew Wayman (520)
3) David Shorunke (520)
4) Roman Khrennikov (514)
5) Elliot Simmonds (492)
