St. Pete Athlete Helps Team Win Second Straight Grid League Title

The Southwest Florida Sharks have become the first team in United Grid League history to win back-to-back championships. The title was secured during a match held in Lakeland last month, a competition that featured Sedona Townsend among its participants.

Townsend, 27, is a utility player for the Sharks. She has competed in the league for four seasons. As a utility player, her duties focus on functional activities such as box jumps, burpees, and pull-ups. These tasks differ from the specialized roles of bodyweight and strength athletes on the roster.

The United Grid League operates with coed teams where men and women compete head to head. Events include deadlifts, bench presses, handstand walking, and backflips. Townsend described the structure as similar to football, noting that each team maintains a coach, a manager, and a full roster where every member holds a distinct position.

Townsend was not actively searching for a team when she joined. She was competing in a local event after spending time in CrossFit when a coach recruited her based on her athletic capabilities. "It kind of found me," she said. "I wasn't necessarily even seeking it out."

The team prepares for matches through group chats, meetings, and Zoom calls. Townsend noted that the commitment to the sport creates a strong bond among players. "Even outside of your daily life, you're committing to this one thing for the people around you, which is really cool," she explained. The back-to-back victories demonstrate the consistency of this group effort.

Before joining the grid, Townsend played soccer at Southeastern University in Lakeland and Evangel University in Springfield, Missouri. She is originally from Fort Myers. Her transition from soccer to CrossFit and then to the Grid League reflects a path toward team-based functional fitness.

Townsend currently works as a physical therapist. She aims to win a third consecutive title with the Sharks. "As long as I'm having fun doing it, I'm going to stick with it," she said. The team will continue to travel for matches this season.