Ty's Road to The 2022 Crossfit Games

After another year of hard work and dedication, Ty has earned his way back to compete at The 2022 Crossfit Games on August 2! For those not familiar, The Crossfit Games is an international competition held the first week of August in Madison, Wisconsin. He has spent the last 6 months competing against nearly 2000 athletes from around the world to advance to the 2022 Games. He is the only 16 year old to earn a spot in the 16-17 year old boys division. Unexpectedly, Crossfit cut the field from 20 to 10 athletes for 2022, making his advancement to the Games even more impressive.

 

We were so overwhelmed and grateful for the support during his trip to the 2021 Games last summer. Your messages, texts, and prayers are some of our favorite memories from his experience. One of the many things we love about Ty is his awareness of how much this sport costs and his appreciation of the sacrifices it takes for him to compete at this level. He has asked how he can help, and we have considered many ways he can contribute. Honestly, with being a full time student, playing football, baseball, swimming, and spending an average of 6 hours a day in the gym, there is not much time left for him to get a job or work to earn the money. Last year, some dear friends organized a fundraiser and our gym friends, family, and community blessed us with an outpouring of love and donations, We have had people reach out asking how they can support him again this year. In addition to your prayers and well wishes, we thought we would provide an easy way for those local and across the country to help support Ty. We have prayed about being transparent and have decided this is the easiest way to share what it takes to get him to the games.

We will keep you updated with messages, behind the scenes videos, as well as a Q&A with Ty so that you can follow along with his progress at the Games. We hope to help you feel you are there with us as you support him.  If you are interested in supporting Ty, please see the need and details below. 
 

A little insight to the need and reason for raising money: Crossfit teen athletes do not receive monetary prizes, sponsorships, or assistance from Crossfit. Individual and other age groups win money for making the podium. Teens are the only ones that do not. Some of you may remember that Reebok gave prizes to all athletes who won an event wearing their shoes. Ty did win one event and received $1,000 which he used toward expenses.

 

We are often asked if Ty is sponsored or is able to find a sponsor. Although last summer the NCAA lifted their restriction against high school students receiving money, it still seems tricky and businesses are reluctant to pay teen athletes. His one partnership is with Crossfit Mayhem. You may notice many of his workout clothes have their name on them, usually accompanied by a bible verse. This is an incredible fit for Ty. Their christian beliefs, platform, and goals are how Ty lives his life. They provide a training program and guidance, as well as apparel, in exchange for Ty being a representative for them on social media and as he competes. Although he represents them, he does not receive money at the teen level. He has also been provided some gear from different companies, but no monetary sponsorships or support.

 

After attending the Games last year, and now that we have a year of experience behind us, we are more prepared and aware of the costs ahead of us next month. We realize that $5000 is a large amount. In full disclosure, we thought we would share what his journey to Madison costs. We are only sharing the cost for the week of the competition and getting him there. This does not include the last year of food, gym fees, food, equipment, food, supplements, food, competition fees, gas, and did I mention food?

 

Again, thank you for your consideration in supporting Ty and our family. Ty's main goal and our prayer is that he competes and uses his platform to share Jesus and represent his family, friends, and community well. We are forever grateful for your love and support.

 

 

 

 

2022 Crossfit Games Expenses

 

$250 Registration to compete in Madison

 

$1140 Tickets for Ty and 3 family members to watch the competition. Yes, if Ty wants to watch any competition event other than his own inside the coliseum, he has to purchase a ticket. They are $285 a piece. This does not include a ticket for his coach or anyone else.

 

$850. We would like to purchase tickets for his coach and training partners that have invested in him and helped get him where he is today. Last year we were able to do this and would like to be able to provide this blessing again this year.

 

$3000 lodging. This is to stay at the most affordable hotel next to the competition venue. This allows us the ability to walk back and forth to the room for food, rest, and showers between events. It also saves on parking costs. This is for one room. (The cost of rooms triples the week of the competition. It's crazy.)

 

The above costs total $5240. This amount would be a huge blessing to us. If we end up exceeding our goal, we will use that money toward gas, food, and hiring a photographer for Ty. Crossfit does not give or release photos or videos to athletes. I am not allowed to take my camera in and photograph events. I learned this the hard way after renting a lens for the games last year.)

 

(It would be a huge blessing to be able to help pay for his coach and training partners' expenses as they travel with us as well. His coach volunteers his time to Ty. His wife is a physical therapist that volunteers her care to keeping Ty healthy. His training partners volunteer to suffer with him during workouts and have pushed him to this level of competition. In addition, they are all incredible friends, mentors, and role models to Ty. To have them in person at the games to support and cheer him on is invaluable.)