July 10, 2010 (Park City, Utah) – The Western Regional Elite Group camp held in Park City, Utah wrapped up recently. The training camp, which is geared towards the top developing athletes in each region, had many athletes taking part over the course of the week. The camp works much like a scouting opportunity for other major-league sports, with athletes competing in a number of tests in order to prove themselves worthy of an invitation to an National Elite Group camp in the fall.

The tests included a strength test, consisting of pull-ups, sit-ups, push-ups, box jumps and dips where the athletes are scored by the number of each exercise they can complete in a minute. There was also the aptly named Agony Time Trial hill climb, which was won by Russell Kennedy in a time of 15:55.

As well as being an important talent identifier for the USST, the REG camps are also a great way to foster experience and skills in coaches, much like the various Training Center camps in Canada.

A special treat for the athletes at the Western REG was the opportunity to hear Andy Newell speak about concepts like race preparation, commitment and learning how to push oneself to always be better.

The Eastern REG finished a week prior to the Western – from June 25-30, Craftsbury, VT read more here – with the Midwest camp currently underway.

Agony Time Trial

Men

1.    Russell    Kennedy    15:55
2.    Will    Wicherski    15:56
3.    Erik    Fagerstrom    15:57
4.    Rogan    Brown    16:24
5.    Conor    Wallace    16:39
6.    Max    Christman    16:39
7.    Austin    Meng    16:39
8.    Mike    Vigers    16:44
9.    Akeo    Maifeld-Carucci    16:57
10.    Tanner    Weigand    17:35
11.    Sean    Woods    17:37
12.    Ben    Westesen    17:41
13.    Johnny    Springer    17:42
14.    Henry    Austin    17:51
15.    Danny    Sundali    17:54
16.    Casey    Smith    19:18
17.    Jack    Steele    19:35
18.    Alex    Hamilton    19:54

Women

1.    Annie    Pokorny    19:34
2.    Jessica    Jortberg    19:38
3.    AliciaRose    Pastore    20:33
4.    Elena    Breed    21:17
5.    Stella    Holt    21:21
6.    Katie    Gill    21:25
7.    Mikaela    Frias    21:47
8.    Anne    Miller    22:37
9.    Haley    Piske    22:50
10.    Emily    Williams    23:09
11.    Kara    Baldwin    24:12
12.    Emma    Donohoe    24:51

Western REG Strength Test – the top 5 results
(Pull-Ups, Sit-Ups, Push-Ups, Box Jumps, Dips) Total

Men
1. Conor Wallace (30, 48, 60, 66, 55) 319
2. Ben Westesen (23, 58, 52, 59, 70) 308
3. Jack Steele (27, 48, 69, 59, 49) 306
4. Johnny Springer (35, 49, 58, 53, 38) 303
5. Rogan Brown (27, 46, 65, 60, 49) 301

Women
1. Emily Williams (7, 52, 60, 50, 31) 214
2. Jessica Jortberg (9, 55, 41, 60, 30) 213
3. Annie Pakorny (3, 45, 50, 62, 30) 196
4. Michaela Frias (5, 55, 40, 58, 25) 193
5. Anne Miller (0, 55, 48, 58, 23) 184