Justin

Justin C. - Owner/Coach

Justin started CrossFit in early 2013 because he had a few friends who were doing it and he saw them getting fitter all the time.  He quickly realized the amazing social aspect of CrossFit and the collective “suffering” was way better than working out alone.  CrossFit was fun; especially lifting heavy stuff!  Heavy squats and deadlifts make his soul happy! Picking a least favorite is more difficult … running, burpees, sit ups.  His favorite WOD is the CrossFit Total, but he's probably best at San Francisco Crippler.

Having always been drawn to water (high school state-level swimmer!), Justin became a Commercial Diver and eventually a Hyperbaric specialist guru.  He is an Avid scuba diver and loves to travel.  Being able to dive while traveling is even better!    

He is married to his BFF, Amanda, and they have two dogs (although Amanda would like 100 more fur babies!).  They have been to at least eight countries with a mile-long list of more they’d like to visit and plan to include their love of diving on as many trips as possible.

Certifications

• CrossFit Level 2 Trainer

• Burgener Strength Weight Lifting

• CrossFit Kids

Ross

Coach

Ross has been in the National Guard for over 20 years and currently serves as a Warrant Officer.  He completed his first Half-Iron Man in 2014.
While growing up, he was active in swimming, wrestling, soccer, baseball; you name it, he probably did it!  

Ross’ CrossFit journey began many years ago when his (at the time) 10 year old son challenged him to a foot race. The boy beat him without even trying, leaving Ross feeling like a slow old man. Ross decided then and there that he needed to make a change! He tried many things, from switching diets to running several days a week, as well as CrossFit-type exercises on his own. While he was making positive gains, he still wasn’t getting the results he wanted. Eventually, at his request, his wife bought him a membership to Washougal River CrossFit (North Pacific at the time!).  The progress he started making was what he had been looking for and the supportive community was certainly an added bonus!

Certifications

• CrossFit Level 2

Leslie

Leslie’s favorite parts about coaching are watching new athletes' passion for CrossFit grow and seeing people do things they couldn’t (or didn't know they could) do before.    

Having loved weightlifting in her teens and rediscovering her love of running somewhere in her early 30s, Leslie found CrossFit to be a perfect fit!  The amazing community was just the icing on the cake!  She began her CrossFit journey in 2013 and has found that, over 20 years later, she's surpassing all her PR's in both weightlifting and running.  Leslie continues to set, work towards, and reach new goals  (she loves goals and plans!).  Her love of running remains and you will often see her running around town training for life … or maybe for another 10K or half marathon (if she gets talked into it again). 

Leslie has a Master’s in Teaching with an endorsement in Physical Education and Health for grades K-12.

Certifications

• CrossFit Level 2

Kent

Kent grew up in a small town outside of Chicago in northwest Indiana, but moved to San Diego as a teen.  He played baseball and golf growing up, but was an all-around baseball player in high school.  He later met Amanda and married her (after only 4 months of dating!) in 2007.  Kent’s college education began in San Diego State, but he completed his Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences at Washington State.  Go Cougs!!

In 2012, when they still lived in California, Amanda convinced Kent to try CrossFit.  He agreed because he was getting bored with running.  He continued because he loved the challenge it provided and the competitive side of the sport.  He and Amanda also enjoyed working out together and felt that the supportive, encouraging environment brought them closer as a couple. 

Flash forward to 2015 when Amanda’s career offered a move to the PNW.  After trying several local boxes, they chose CFNP (before we were Washougal River CrossFit) because they loved the community feel as well as the respect and knowledge our coaches provided to keep our athletes healthy and to get Better Every Day. 

Kent’s favorite part of coaching is the uniqueness each athlete brings to class.  He enjoys the challenge this provides to be sure each athlete is getting what they need each day, each WOD.  His favorite lift is the clean and his favorite gymnastic move is a rope climb.  He would prefer to skip Turkish get ups!  His hobbies outside of CrossFit include being a “Cheer Dad” to his two adorable girls who cheer competitively.  When not working, coaching, working out, or being a “Cheer Dad”, he enjoys golfing and competitive dodgeball.

Certifications

• CrossFit Level 2

Kit

Lifting Coach

Kit is our weightlifting coach. She started CrossFit in 2014 and made the switch to competitive weightlifting in late summer 2017. She is the current (and two-time) Masters National W45 76K Champion and holds 11 records; 2 American, 3 national, and 6 state.  She has competed on the World Stage; her highest finish was in 2019 where she finished 4th. 

She received her USA Weightlifting Certification in 2019 and has been coaching ever since. She coached two female youths at their first Nationals in 2020 and looks forward to helping others grow in the sport, whether it be competitively or for fun!  One of her favorite aspects of weightlifting is that it requires constant analysis and improvement of technique. There is a balance between strength, agility, and speed that constantly provides a challenge and gives her something to always work on. This not only helps her as a lifter, but she uses that to help athletes realize that there is no such thing as perfection, there is only progress.

Kit has always been involved in sports. She started out as a swimmer in high school and while she served in the Navy.  She had a brief moment of insanity and took up running after the birth of her first son.  She competed internationally as a part of a Senior Women’s Dagon Boat team in Portland, OR.

Kit is married to a Navy Vet and they have 4 beautiful children and 1 amazing grandson.  She enjoys countless sports, competing, and playing with their 3 puppies!!  She also enjoys spending time with her family and watching them grow their passion.  Her oldest son was a competitive swimmer and is an active member of the US Coast guard.  Her youngest son plays football, basketball, and high school track.  Her youngest daughter was also a swimmer for a while, but now plays volleyball.  Her oldest daughter is taking on the challenge of motherhood.

Kit feels that both CrossFit and weightlifting have changed her life.  If you had asked her in 2013, she would have never thought she’d be throwing heavy weights above her head or doing volume burpees! She looks forward to sharing her passion. 

Certifications and Awards

• USAW L1 coaches and referee certification

• USA weightlifting coach

• 2019 World 4th place finisher

• 6 state, 2 American, 3 national records

• Masters National W45 76K Champion