CrossFit Team Series 2015 Power Rankings
CrossFit Team Series 2015 Power Rankings
The 2015 CrossFit Team Series is coming up quick and we've got a good idea of who the super teams are, but which is the best? Here are our 2015 CrossFit Team Series Power Rankings:
6. Team NorCal
Jason Khalipa, Molly Vollmer, Jen Zambruno, Chris Detmering
While Jason Khalipa is by far the best individual on this team, the team's greatest strength is that all four of these individual train together on a regular basis. Because of that they don't need to worry about scheduling issues like what happened to Rogue Black last year (had to complete all the workouts in a 8-10 hour window thanks to flights and conflicting schedules).
On top of that, this is half the team that placed 10th at the Games this year while short 1 competitor so they've got the team work and mental toughness sides of competing down for sure. Unfortunately, that won't be enough to push them into the top 5 overall as I don't think their overall top end strength is where it needs to be in order to really excel in the Team Series.
5. Team Fitmoo
Noah Ohlsen, Lindsey Valenzuela, Christy Adkins, Kenneth Leverich
Two top 10 finishers from the 2015 CrossFit Games and two CrossFit Games veterans gives this team a pretty big advantage. Also, 3 of the four members live near each other so scheduling and competing together shouldn't be a huge problem.
That said, a few of these team members have been training for GRID which has the potential to put them at a disadvantage in higher volume or longer events. They've got a great balance of overall fitness without any real glaring holes, so top 5 finish overall for sure.
4. Rogue Fitness Red
Dain Bailey, Graham Holmberg, Camille Leblanc Bazinet, Annie Thorisdottir
Rogue Fitness Red has three former CrossFit Games Champions and Dan Bailey. "Super Team" is the precise phrase to describe these folks. Camille had a bad year at the Games this year and Annie had a podium finish robbed from her thanks to heat stroke.
I'd say Camille and Graham are the two weakest parts of this team. Graham strikes me as the athlete who peaks very well but may not carry 100% performance year round and Camille may still be mentally reeling from her subpar finish at the Games this year. Finishing just outside the podium of The Team Series is a pretty hardy achievement considering who the top three teams are...
3. Team Reebok Classics
Ben Smith, Paul Tremblay, Stacie Tovar, Emily Bridgers
The defending Team Series Champs, minus one very important piece: Scott Panchik. While his replacement is no slouch, Paul Tremblay doesn't have the same pedigree as Panchik does and that will be the deciding factor for their attempt to repeat as Champs of The Team Series.
Ben Smith and Paul Tremblay are both incredibly strong while Stacie Tovar and Emily Bridges are both gifted CrossFitters, but gifted and strong isn't enough in this competition. To get into the top 2 spots, your team will need to be unstoppable. Enter...
2. Rogue Fitness Black
Rich Froning, Josh Bridges, Sam Briggs, Margaux Alvarez
Between Rogue Red and Rogue Black, we've got 8 of the best CrossFitters in the world and two of the best teams. Even though Rogue Red has three former champions, Rogue Black edges out Rogue Red because their men are easily the two best "Classic" CrossFitters on the planet and their women are Sam Briggs (former champ, and the best "Classic" female CrossFitter on Earth) and Margaux Alvarez (hugely improved and smartly trained with a Champion's mindset).
But why not 1st? While this team has the conditioning and muscle endurance to crush most workouts, their strength levels aren't really there to balance that out. Bridges, Briggs, and Alvarez are known for being incredibly well rounded but not very strong, which is going to be why they'll take second place behind...
1. Built By Bergeron
Mat Fraser, Michele Letendre, Cole Sager, Katrin Davidsdottir
Ben Bergeron is a smart man who has a nuanced and deep understanding of what it takes to make a CrossFit Games athlete. On top of that, his team is absolutely stacked. Mat Fraser and Cole Sager are both crazy strong and two of the best CrossFitters in the world. Michele Letendre is usually in the top 10 at the CrossFit Games (had an off year this year and placed 18th) and Katrin Davidsdottir won the Games this year, proving they've both got the chops to win the Team Series.
The secret weapon here isn't even the insanely fit members of the team; it's Ben Bergeron. With a coach like that, their strategy approaching every event will likely be better than any other team's and it's that combination of talent and strategy that puts these guys in first place.
Disagree with me? Tell me why.
6. Team NorCal
Jason Khalipa, Molly Vollmer, Jen Zambruno, Chris Detmering
While Jason Khalipa is by far the best individual on this team, the team's greatest strength is that all four of these individual train together on a regular basis. Because of that they don't need to worry about scheduling issues like what happened to Rogue Black last year (had to complete all the workouts in a 8-10 hour window thanks to flights and conflicting schedules).
On top of that, this is half the team that placed 10th at the Games this year while short 1 competitor so they've got the team work and mental toughness sides of competing down for sure. Unfortunately, that won't be enough to push them into the top 5 overall as I don't think their overall top end strength is where it needs to be in order to really excel in the Team Series.
5. Team Fitmoo
Noah Ohlsen, Lindsey Valenzuela, Christy Adkins, Kenneth Leverich
Two top 10 finishers from the 2015 CrossFit Games and two CrossFit Games veterans gives this team a pretty big advantage. Also, 3 of the four members live near each other so scheduling and competing together shouldn't be a huge problem.
That said, a few of these team members have been training for GRID which has the potential to put them at a disadvantage in higher volume or longer events. They've got a great balance of overall fitness without any real glaring holes, so top 5 finish overall for sure.
4. Rogue Fitness Red
Dain Bailey, Graham Holmberg, Camille Leblanc Bazinet, Annie Thorisdottir
Rogue Fitness Red has three former CrossFit Games Champions and Dan Bailey. "Super Team" is the precise phrase to describe these folks. Camille had a bad year at the Games this year and Annie had a podium finish robbed from her thanks to heat stroke.
I'd say Camille and Graham are the two weakest parts of this team. Graham strikes me as the athlete who peaks very well but may not carry 100% performance year round and Camille may still be mentally reeling from her subpar finish at the Games this year. Finishing just outside the podium of The Team Series is a pretty hardy achievement considering who the top three teams are...
3. Team Reebok Classics
Ben Smith, Paul Tremblay, Stacie Tovar, Emily Bridgers
The defending Team Series Champs, minus one very important piece: Scott Panchik. While his replacement is no slouch, Paul Tremblay doesn't have the same pedigree as Panchik does and that will be the deciding factor for their attempt to repeat as Champs of The Team Series.
Ben Smith and Paul Tremblay are both incredibly strong while Stacie Tovar and Emily Bridges are both gifted CrossFitters, but gifted and strong isn't enough in this competition. To get into the top 2 spots, your team will need to be unstoppable. Enter...
2. Rogue Fitness Black
Rich Froning, Josh Bridges, Sam Briggs, Margaux Alvarez
Between Rogue Red and Rogue Black, we've got 8 of the best CrossFitters in the world and two of the best teams. Even though Rogue Red has three former champions, Rogue Black edges out Rogue Red because their men are easily the two best "Classic" CrossFitters on the planet and their women are Sam Briggs (former champ, and the best "Classic" female CrossFitter on Earth) and Margaux Alvarez (hugely improved and smartly trained with a Champion's mindset).
But why not 1st? While this team has the conditioning and muscle endurance to crush most workouts, their strength levels aren't really there to balance that out. Bridges, Briggs, and Alvarez are known for being incredibly well rounded but not very strong, which is going to be why they'll take second place behind...
1. Built By Bergeron
Mat Fraser, Michele Letendre, Cole Sager, Katrin Davidsdottir
Ben Bergeron is a smart man who has a nuanced and deep understanding of what it takes to make a CrossFit Games athlete. On top of that, his team is absolutely stacked. Mat Fraser and Cole Sager are both crazy strong and two of the best CrossFitters in the world. Michele Letendre is usually in the top 10 at the CrossFit Games (had an off year this year and placed 18th) and Katrin Davidsdottir won the Games this year, proving they've both got the chops to win the Team Series.
The secret weapon here isn't even the insanely fit members of the team; it's Ben Bergeron. With a coach like that, their strategy approaching every event will likely be better than any other team's and it's that combination of talent and strategy that puts these guys in first place.
Disagree with me? Tell me why.