In 2010, towards the end of his career in the Army as a drill sergeant, Jay Lineback was introduced to CrossFit – a combination of multiple physical disciplines that are fashioned to maximize someone’s cardiovascular strength and endurance, flexibility, and overall health. Already familiarized with some of the workouts due to his military training, Lineback fell in love with the fitness regimen and shortly after leaving the Army, he moved to Owensboro for a change of scenery.
“I am originally from Evansville, but Owensboro was just the best change of pace,” Lineback said. “It just made so much sense for me to move to Owensboro when I got off after duty as a drill sergeant. I love the pace and flow of Owensboro. The people are fantastic, and I love the steady growth that Owensboro has.”
In 2012, Lineback started teaching people CrossFit out of his garage, and in 2013, he opened up his gym, Owensboro CrossFit, located off of Triplett Street. Dating back to when he first entered the CrossFit world, Lineback started competing in the yearly CrossFit Open.
“The open is something CrossFit affiliates around the world use as a way to test their members and test where their fitness is from a birds eye view,” Lineback said.
Recently competing in his 15th open, Lineback had his eyes set on finishing in the top 200 in his age division – a lofty goal after placing 425th the year before. He shattered expectations, finishing 48th amongst 10,000 40–44-year-olds and qualifying for the semifinals, which started April 3rd and concluded on the sixth.
The first round of the open consists of three different workouts, each a week apart, and the semifinals are made up of five different workouts. The first workout of the semifinals was as many bar muscle-ups as possible over 10 minutes with a rep being added to each movement after ever round completed.
When speaking with Lineback after the open, but before the semifinals, he acknowledged that advancing to the finals would be fantastic but knew it would be a challenge in itself.
“Finishing 48th in the world is phenomenal, but finishing in the top 30 in the world is a task that may not happen this year, but that’s ok,” Lineback said. “I am going to do my best and if the workouts are really good for my abilities, then maybe I have a chance. The only thing I can do is work hard and do the best I can.”
Competing in his 15th CrossFit Open, Lineback was joined by around 50 people at his gym – compromising of 20 people who signed up and other athletes couldn’t commit to competing in the open, but wanted to complete the workouts.
“Our community is filled with so many different and wonderful people,” Lineback said. “We have probably 70 adult athletes that train here, pushing 200 youth athletes ranging from 13 years old all the way through college kids. Just watching what unfolds over a period of time from day one, where maybe they have low self-esteem or don’t move very well. The one thing they have that is special is the consistency with which they show up. To watch the rate of improvement in not only their body but their attitude, confidence, and mental health is tremendous.”
Throughout the year, his gym is attended by Kentucky Performance Volleyball, and student athletes from Owensboro Catholic, Apollo, Daviess County, and KWC.
This year, Lineback’s gym had a similar amount of people register to compete from the previous year, but saw an uptick in the number of athletes that showed up just to accomplish the workouts.
To Lineback, it was neat to see an uptick in the number of registered athletes, but it wasn’t his goal.
“The open is three days of the year, but I am worried about the other 362 days,” Lineback said. “I’m concerned with how the trip with your grandkids went last weekend, or hey, how are the kids doing in the classroom at the new school you’re teaching at? Are you physically fit enough to take care of everything that needs to be taken care of outside of the gym? Those are the things I am most concerned about.”
