MADISON, Wis. — The CrossFit Games are underway in Madison and for the next few days some of the world’s strongest athletes will gather at the Alliant Energy Center.
While some athletes have to travel great lengths to prove themselves on Madison’s stomping grounds, Julie Ackermann was born in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, and went to college right in Madison.
“Getting here was the goal and now I am just trying to have fun and do the best that I can do,” said Ackermann.
Ackermann first competed in the CrossFit Games in 2017 in the 40-45 age group and this year she’s back competing in the 50-55 age group but she said making the cut has become more difficult over the years.
“They changed it, there used to be 20 masters athletes and now it’s 10 so it is harder to get here,” said Ackermann.
Ackermann is 50, but she has no plans of making this competition her last.
“It is hard to tow that line of beating yourself up versus pushing yourself so as long as I stay healthy, I will do this as long as I can because I think it is an amazing sport,” said Ackermann.
The oldest CrossFit competitor at this year’s games is Jacinto Bonilla, who turned 78 on July 3, so Ackermann is by no means the oldest competitor in the game.
“That means in the qualifier to get here, they had to do rope climbs without their legs because that’s what we all had to do, so ya, it’s impressive,” said Ackermann.
Ackermann’s hard work and dedication to the sport does not go unnoticed, as echoes of “Julie!” “Julie!” Julie!” could be heard throughout the crowd. One person in particular looks up to Ackermann and is already following in her footsteps.
“I competed in the 16-17-year-old division last year, I got into CrossFit, 2018 through my mom,” said Nate Ackermann.
After watching his mom compete in 2017-18, Nate was inspired and now CrossFit is his life.
“Hopefully as long as my body holds up I am going to do crossfit as long as I cansaid Nate Ackermann. “Hopefully make a career out of it, that’s the dream.”
Nate was not able to qualify for this year’s games but he plans to come back next year stronger than ever and Julie is looking forward to competing in the CrossFit Games next year with her son.
”That would be amazing, it would be amazing,” said Ackermann. “I think it has happened with a couple other families on occasion with a mom and a son or a father and a daughter or something is here, but yeah, that would be great.”
The CrossFit Games ran through Aug. 7. For more, visit https://games.crossfit.com/article/2022-crossfit-games-tickets/open.