After three years of competing in the teen divisions, 18-year-old Haley Adams made her Individual debut at the 2019 CrossFit Games. In doing so, the former Fittest Teen on Earth proved that despite her age, she truly is a force to be reckoned with. At the big event in Madison, WI, Adams earned the newly coined Rookie of the Year award and placed 6th overall. Adams earned a top 10 finish in 10 out of the 12 events.
Despite being enrolled at Tennessee Tech University and having a packed schedule, Adams finds time to fit in multiple training sessions between her classes. This Games athlete is originally from Lexington, NC, a convenient five and a half hours from one of the world’s top affiliates, CrossFit Mayhem. Adams chose to pursue her degree near the powerhouse gym and has been training alongside Rich Froning and other incredible athletes like Tasia Percevecz of team Mayhem Freedom.
Haley attributes her success at the Games to her ability to train at Mayhem, stating in a recent interview, “I probably wouldn’t have even made it. It’s just a different environment. It definitely made me way fitter. People push me every day.”
The competitor goes on to talk about the upcoming Open with a confidence and ease typically not seen in such a young adult. In her pursuit of a solid performance in the Open she says she’s working on, “form, working on engaging my core, doing some raw strength, stuff like just deadlifts and front squats.” Though nonchalant in conversation, you can see her dedication to peak fitness as she throws around a wall ball while showing us her ripped open palms.
Seemingly fearless in taking on another season, Adams says, “If I qualify out of the Open, then I’m gonna take some more time off or just do a strength program again, if not I’m gonna go to some sanctionals.”
Regardless of the outcome, she plans on attending Strength in Depth in London and to participate in the Mayhem sanctional event this year.
In the wake of an impressive performance at the 2019 Games, Adams feels less pressure, saying, “I know I belong and that I can make it.”
The young athlete plans on getting stronger, working on some of her weaknesses like the clean, and chasing an even better placement at the Games. Despite a heavy training volume, she makes sure to find time to get her nails done, make it to her 12:00pm class at the University, eat her perfectly prepped clean meal, and make it back to Mayhem for another session.
Though a seemingly normal college girl from an outsider’s perspective, her life and schedule no doubt exhibit a drive that continuous to impress CrossFit fans around the world. If you’re wondering if this young competitor will continue making her way up in placement at the Games, you’re going to have to wait and see, but we think it’s safe to assume that she will.
Want more? Get to know Haley Adams in the video below:
