Jennifer Nobis-Dancer is no rookie when it comes to the competitive field. Through highschool, Dancer found her athletic calling in soccer and earned a scholarship to the University of Missouri. Post-graduation, she was recruited to play professional soccer in Sweden, and was later drafted by the Boston Breakers, an American league team out of the North East. After only a few years back on American soil, Dancer found herself called back to the Dallmelsvenslcan League in Sweden, where she continued to make a name for herself in the sport, becoming Player of The Year and top scorer in the league. 

2012 was a year of tranisition. Due to years of physical damage as a result of competing at such a high level, Dancer made the decision to hang up her cleats and leave the field behind. With self preservation in mind, she returned to her home in Quincy, Illinois. It was only a short time later that the retired athlete found her calling in CrossFit. 

With a year of CrossFit under her belt, Dancer qualified to the 2013 North Central Regional as an individual, finishing 19th overall. Not bad for a rookie debut. 2014 proved to have even more success. As a member of Team CrossFit Conjugate, Dancer earned a first place finish at the Central East Regional, punching her (and the team's) first ticket to Carson. CrossFit Conjugate finished the weekend as the Second Fittest Team On Earth, falling short only to the gladiators of CrossFit Invictus. 

On May 29, Dancer began her weekend competing at the 2015 Central Regional in the women's individual division, her mind set on a trip back to California. A stacked field of Games' veterans proved this to be no easy task. After the three days of competition, she finished within the top 30 women, placing 29th overall. 

Next Saturday (August 15th), Dancer will be competing head to head with current Rush Club Heavyweight Champ, Sara Urban, at Celebrity Theater. We caught up with Jenn to see how preparation for Rush Club 005 has been going: 

You competed a couple months ago at the 2015 Central Regionals, since that weekend, what has training looked like? Did you take a break?

 

Training has been very off and on with us since regionals has ended. We took about two weeks off completely right after competing. Our goal was to take one week off and enjoy each other but then life happened and it continued to two weeks. We have never been so incredibly busy with our lives but we also haven't ever been so happy. 

 

When Sam (Dancer) competed at Rush Club 001 last year, what did you think of the event? Did you want to compete yourself?  

 

When Sam competed last year it was such a fun experience to get with a group of people and watch. I never thought I would get the opportunity to be apart of Rush Club. When AJ ask me I hesitated at first because I remember how nervous I was just watching Sam. But, hearing all the positive feedback from Sam and from my best friend Melissa's experience, I can't wait to experience it myself and enjoy the moment.

 

What has training/preparation looked like leading up to the weekend? Have you practiced the workout?

 

Training for Rush Club doesn't look any different than my regular training. I ran through the workout once just to see what it would feel like and so I can get a good strategy going into the event. 

 

What are your thoughts on the workout? Does the programming play to your strengths or weaknesses?

 

When I saw the workout I had a huge relief. The movements are completely up my alley, but its also something different that I don't do a lot of in my training. We had to work with DBalls last year for The Games, but since then I haven't done much with that movement. 

 

You’re going head to head with the current heavyweight title holder, Sara Urban. How do you think you’ll stack up against her? 

 

Going up against Sara is no different than going up against anyone during a competition. I don't usually get too worked up with who I am going against, because my performance won't change. I am competing to WIN and to have a good time and if I worry about my component then I won't be able to enjoy the atmosphere of the competition. 

You'll be able to watch these ladies throwdown August 15th, LIVE on FloElite. 

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Sara Urban To Defend Rush Club Heavyweight Title 
Rush Club 005 Events Announced!