All schools in Upshur County will close at 1 p.m. today. All B-UHS sporting events today are canceled.

Local CrossFit athletes compete in worldwide competition

BUCKHANNON – A local crossfit gym has been participating in a worldwide competition to both promote fitness and help local charities.

Almost Heaven CrossFit competed in the CrossFit Open, described by gym co-owner Taylor Foster as the Olympics of the popular fitness program.

It’s also a chance for local athletes to see themselves on a worldwide leaderboard and test themselves in new ways as part of the five-week, five-workout competition.

“The open allows our athletes to come in and basically do the same workouts the elites are doing and compare results,” Foster told My Buckhannon. “They have what’s called an RX division, which would be the hardest way to do the workout, and then there’s a scaled version so that our athletes who are still developing skills can come in and do the scale variations.”

Almost Heaven CrossFit split contestants into six teams, and each team could earn points. Each week there was a winner, and at the end of the competition one team will be named the overall winner of the open.

“It’s been a lot of fun,” Foster said. “Not everyone wants to do a competition, not everybody wants to sign up, not everyone wants to work out in front of people. But it’s given everybody the opportunity to try it on their level and let them prove that they can do it.”

CrossFit also integrated themes each week so competitors could earn extra points. For example, they could earn extra points by dressing up in a certain way or by helping support different charities each week.

“The charities have been one of my favorite things about the open,” Foster said. “I think it’s really cool we could get everyone out and together, but we also help better the community.”

Almost Heaven CrossFit members held a clothing drive for a mission trip to Haiti, made care packages for the senior center and collected items for the non-profit Luv 4 Animals.

Joan Samargo said she was encouraged to participate by everyone in the gym.

“The people and the coaches encouraged me,” Samargo said. “They said, ‘Just do what you can’ and that’s honestly what inspired me. There is so much support, and it’s OK if I can’t make it through the first round. They’re like a family.”

Foster said Almost Heaven CrossFit is planning to participate in the open again next year.

“To see everybody come out and just push themselves — and even if they don’t exceed their expectations, if they come out and push themselves to do their very best — it’s totally worth it and it’s worth all the work that goes behind it,” she said.

CrossFit

Share this story:

RECENT Stories

Strawberry royalty crowned as festival season takes the throne

The 83rd West Virginia Strawberry Festival began with the coronation of Queen Kourtney Jones and King Bryce Cogar, marking the start of a week of parades, entertainment, and community celebrations in Buckhannon.

Buckhannon to honor former chief Virgil Miller at 8th Annual Webb Grubb Police Officer Recognition Day

Buckhannon will honor former Police Chief and Upshur County Sheriff Virgil Miller posthumously at the 8th annual Webb Grubb Police Officer Recognition Day, adding his name to the city’s “Wall of Blue.”

City of Buckhannon announces temporary traffic updates

Buckhannon officials have closed sections of Madison and Spring Streets for the West Virginia Strawberry Festival and are reversing Maple Street’s one-way direction from May 13 to 17, urging drivers to seek alternate routes.

Buckhannon celebrates St. Joseph’s Hospital with National Nurses Week and National Hospital Week proclamation

Mayor Robbie Skinner issued a proclamation honoring National Nurses Week and National Hospital Week, recognizing the contributions of WVU Medicine St. Joseph’s Hospital and its dedicated staff.

Attempted murder, arson, DUI causing death among charges in recent Upshur County indictments

A circuit court indicted area residents on a range of charges, including arson, DUI causing death, child neglect, embezzlement, drug offenses, assault, burglary, and possession of firearms, involving more than two dozen individuals.

On the City of Buckhannon Calendar: May 12-18, 2025

The City of Buckhannon announces public meeting schedules, accepts bids for city services, and reminds residents of online payment and repair reporting options.

Mountain Region Drug and Violent Crime Task Force arrests seven on felony drug charges in Upshur County

The Mountain Region Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, assisted by local law enforcement, arrested seven Buckhannon residents on felony drug charges, including methamphetamine and fentanyl distribution, with further arrests anticipated.

John Alan Keen

John Alan Keen, 63, of Horner, passed away on May 8, 2025, and will be cremated according to his wishes, with arrangements handled by Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home.

Upshur County Sports Calendar

Buckhannon-Upshur High School’s sports schedule this week features a baseball Region I tournament game at John Marshall on Monday and the boys and girls track teams competing in the Region I Championships at Mylan Park on Thursday.

Baseball Bucs to visit John Marshall in regional baseball tournament opener

Buckhannon-Upshur, seeded fifth in the Class AAAA Region I baseball tournament, will open double-elimination regional play by visiting fourth-seeded John Marshall, under a new format eliminating sectional rounds.

Buckhannon Banter: Get the local lowdown for May 11, 2025

This week in Buckhannon, local highlights include library events with a no-fine day, upcoming job fair and fundraiser, a student football camp, a local health department award, and more.

West Virginia Strawberry Festival kicks off its 83rd year with heartfelt ceremony and hometown pride

The 83rd Annual West Virginia Strawberry Festival opened in Jawbone Park on Saturday with community leaders celebrating decades of tradition, family, and local pride, inviting attendees to enjoy parades, food, live entertainment, and strawberry-themed festivities all week.