NoCoast CrossFit at Louisville Elementary School

Coach Dan teaches the squat to LES students.

By Mary Kolenda

NoCoast CrossFit & Louisville Elementary Kids Do CrossFit

Louisville Elementary School (LES) students experienced a healthy dose of CrossFit when NoCoast CrossFit Kids Coach Mary Kolenda introduced CrossFit to over 400 students in Doug Dombek’s PE classes for four days in September 2013. Squats, presses, burpees and CrossFit dodgeball kept the kids moving and engaged as they enjoyed fitness with CrossFit Kids.

NoCoast CrossFit Partners with the Louisville Elementary PTA

Coach Matt Johnson and Coach Mary Kolenda at LES.

On October 9, 2013 NoCoast CrossFit visited LES again and ran free 30-minute CrossFit Kids classes as a reward for each class that raised the most money for the school’s Jog-A-thon fundraiser. The PTA surpassed its goal of raising $29,000 for the school, and lucky classes PK - 5^th were treated with a special Hallowe’en themed CrossFit class led by NoCoast CrossFit Owner/Coach Dan Finck, Coach Matt Johnson, and CrossFit Kids Coach Mary Kolenda.

Kids entered the gym with grins, gasps, and wide-eyes as they observed the Hallowe’en decorations, lights, and obstacle course attraction that awaited them. Coaches Dan Finck and Matt Johnson led the eager students in duck walks, broad jumps and other CrossFit warm-ups before dividing the kids into relay teams for the obstacle course.

3-2-1 Go! LES kids hurdled over “hot lava,” crawled through the “bat cave,” swerved around cones in “witch alley,”  squatted on orange medicine balls in the “pumpkin patch” and bear-crawled through the “haunted house” to the finish line.  Favorite Hallowe’en tunes of  “Ghostbusters,”  “Calling all the Monsters,” and “Purple People Eater” blared while teammates cheered for each other. LES parent volunteers, NoCoastians Bridget Voss and Jen MacQueen helped facilitate the fun-filled event.

NoCoast athlete, Bridget Voss, volunteered for the event.

One highlight was seeing kids of all ages and abilities participating and cheering each other on throughout the day. Another highlight was watching 5^th grade teacher Adam Thaler take on NoCoast CrossFit Coach Dan Finck in the final obstacle race of the day.  Fifth grader Jacqueline Kolenda commented, “It was a fun way to sweat!” Overall, this NoCoast CrossFit Event was a blast and true to the CrossFit Kids theme of providing “Fun with a Purpose.” Thank you to the Louisville Elementary School students and PTA for having NoCoast CrossFit share the love!