2019 Conquer the Gauntlet Pro Team
For the fourth straight year, Conquer the Gauntlet is fielding a Pro Obstacle Course Racing (OCR) team for competing at both the national and international stages. Watch for their athletes not only at the six planned Conquer the Gauntlet (CTG) events in the Midwest but also at OCRs nationwide. You’ll even find them helping out at the largest OCR series just for kids, Conquer Youth, and even a couple of international events.
The 2019 Conquer the Gauntlet Pro Team
Michelle Warnky tackling the American Ninja Warrior Course
The biggest addition to the team is 5x American Ninja Warrior Finalist Michelle Warnky. While you may not remember her from OCR, she has an impressive race resume, including finishing fourth Pro female at OCR World Championships twice (2014, 2016) and top ten at a World’s Toughest Mudder (2013). She’s not giving up on ninja, but expect to see her at more OCRs, especially in the second half of the season. As a world champion from the Master of the Rig competition at OCR World Championships 2016, Michelle is joined by the returning male champion Jay “Captain Puerto Rico” Flores, who is planning on adding more top finishes to the 50x he already has.
Jay Flores flies through a ninja course.
These aren’t the only ninjas on the team. Amy “Magic” Pajcic is back for her fourth year and still the only women to stand on the overall individual pro podium for both World’s Toughest Mudder (WTM) and OCR World Championships. WTM podium finisher Evan “Ultra-OCR Man” Perperis returns after winning the team division (Team Atomik with Wesley “Dr RedTights” Kerr) at WTM 2018. He’s also got some more Ultra-OCR outside the box events planned for 2019 including this 24-hour treadmill OCR in February.
Amy Pajcic, Matt Willis and Evan Perperis atop the 2018 North American OCR Championships podium.
The team wouldn’t be complete without the these CTG record holders. Randi Lackey with her 10x CTG wins for the ladies and Bryce Robinson with 7x for the men, both based out of Oklahoma, hold the records for the most CTG wins. Add in CTG’s two most dominant Masters athletes, undefeated 6x CTG Masters Lisa Nondorf and the undefeated 5x CTG Masters champion Doug “TheDougg” Snyder.
Randi Lackey on Pegatron
Almost synonymous with the name CTG, Brenna “Red Beast” Calvert and Nathan “NaPalm” Palmer both return. Expect to see them at the 15 Conquer Youth events occurring nationwide (between Tampa and Denver). You might remember Nathan as the Team Captain of Saddle Up from Spartan Ultimate Team Challenge. Brenna was featured on Steve Austin’s Broken Skull Challenge All-Star episode.
Nate Palmer trains with the next generation of OCR champions.
Mud Run Guide’s own Matt “The Mudder” Willis is back after finishing 2nd place on the Pro Co-ed Team at North American OCR Championships. He is joined by 1st place Pro Female Team Champion athlete Ashley Samples, who has more podium finishes than we can feasibly count, though the last estimate was 100+.
Ashley Samples celebrates after tackling the Pegatron.
The team is excited for 2019 and looks forward to a great season. Lots of Conquer The Gauntlet, Savage Races and local events with mandatory obstacle completion like Indian Mud Run are definitely in the near future. Plus, there are plans for OCR World Championships, World’s Toughest Mudder and even a trip to Kuwait for The Hannibal Race. While they are looking to add to their accomplishments like having 5x athletes on the Team Pro podium of North American OCR Championships, they are more excited justto enjoy the sport of OCR. Follow the journey at their website www.CTGProTeam.com and their Facebook page (www.facebook.com/ctgproteam) where they share tips, workouts, technique videos and more.
The team is supported by a host of great sponsors in 2019 including: Atomik Climbing Holds, MudGear, Juice Performer, Marena Sport, Nicole of Enchanting Getaway, LLC, Luc Labonte Nutrition, dryrobe, Squirrel’s Nut Butter, Mud Run Guide, OOFOS, RockTape, Wreck Bag, InsideTracker, Harbinger Fitness, Yancy Camp, Elite Ops Energy, Ambari Nutrition, and Compex.
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