St. Petersburg athlete helps SW Florida Sharks secure second straight United Grid League title

Sedona Townsend helped the Southwest Florida Sharks claim their second consecutive United Grid League championship in Lakeland last month. The 27-year-old St. Petersburg resident and physical therapist was a member of the roster that secured the back-to-back title in the organization's most recent season.

The United Grid League operates as a coed competition where men and women race head-to-head in functional fitness and weightlifting events. Athletes perform specific movements including deadlifts, bench presses, handstand walking, and backflips. Townsend, who is in her fourth season in the sport, competes as a utility player. Her focus includes box jumps, burpees, and pull-ups.

Townsend originally discovered the sport through CrossFit, a training method emphasizing strength and conditioning. She was not actively searching for a team when she entered the league. Her coach identified her during a local competition and recruited her based on her athletic capabilities. She noted that the Grid League functions as a team sport, unlike the individualized nature of CrossFit.

"I was competing in a local competition and that’s when my coach found me and recruited me just based off of my athletic capabilities," Townsend said. "It kind of found me."

The team structure mirrors traditional sports organizations. Each roster includes a coach, a manager, and players assigned to specific positions. The league categorizes athletes into utility, bodyweight, and strength roles. Teams compete in a series of matches throughout the season, with each match consisting of 11 distinct races.

Townsend described the team dynamic as a commitment to one another beyond daily life. The group maintains a chat thread, holds meetings, and uses Zoom calls to coordinate. She stated that the victories mean a lot to the group. The Sharks now aim to win a third consecutive title.

"My goal for life in general is to have fun," Townsend said. "As long as I’m having fun doing it, I’m going to stick with it."