Grid League 2025 – Championship REMATCH – Sharks vs Wild

In front of an energetic Miami crowd, the Southwest Florida Sharks and Atlanta Wild faced off in a highly anticipated 2025 Grid League match. With both teams looking to make their mark early in the season, the intensity was palpable as athletes prepared for the ten-race competition.

The evening began with the Partner Forward race, setting an immediate tone for what would be a technical battle. The Wild jumped to an early lead despite some confusion and no-reps, but the Sharks’ pairing of Blake Kidder and Valerie Gunning found their rhythm, overtaking Atlanta and finishing with a comfortable margin. The Wild managed to complete the race just before the time cap, salvaging a point despite referee confusion when an air horn failed to signal properly.

In the Mirror race, featuring 175-pound weights for men and 115-pound weights for women, the Sharks’ strategy of using Blake Kidder for double duty paid dividends. Their athletes executed human rack transitions smoothly, maintaining a slight lead from the start that they never relinquished. Both teams finished well within the time cap, but the Sharks claimed the race victory.

Drama unfolded during the Ringer Point Log Clean and Jerks when Thomas Sroka, Wild’s strongman specialist, reached his station first but couldn’t convert the advantage. More concerning was Sroka’s apparent injury after completing his lifts, requiring medical attention as he was seen limping off the grid.

The Echo races showcased technical excellence from both squads. In the first Echo, featuring overhead snatches, front squats, dumbbell burpee box overs, and hang movements, the Sharks maintained control throughout. Kelsey Kiel‘s back rack technique for the front squats proved efficient, while Nick Shappee opted for step-overs rather than jumps to maintain consistency. The Wild finished under the time cap to earn a point, but couldn’t match the Sharks’ execution.

For the second Echo, the Sharks switched their lineup but maintained their advantage. Sydney Witter displayed textbook double touches, helping extend their lead to 4-5 repetitions ahead of the Wild. Once again, the Sharks claimed victory while Atlanta secured another point by finishing within the time cap.

The Ladder race brought strategic decisions to the forefront as athletes carefully chose which weights to attempt. For the men, thrusters progressed from 205 to 265 pounds, while women faced challenges from 130 to 175 pounds. Tyler Billington and Sydney Wilson impressed for the Wild by successfully lifting in the fourth quadrant. However, the Sharks’ Blake Kidder delivered what commentators called “one of the fastest ladders of all time,” hitting every quadrant. Kelsey Kiel matched this feat on the women’s side, earning enthusiastic cheers from the crowd.

The Aerial Hurdles Ringer Point race featured Sammy Nalley for the Sharks against Tanner Hodge for the Wild. Nalley’s efficient technique led to another decisive victory for Southwest Florida.

In the Jack and Jill race, featuring bar muscle-ups, ring muscle-ups, and backward rolls to support, the Sharks’ waterfall technique proved superior. Coach Fico Gomez’s calm demeanor reflected a well-prepared team executing what commentators described as “the easiest Jack and Jill completion we’ve seen all day.”

The Women’s Triad showcased versatility with kettlebell snatches, pullovers, wall balls, handstand walks, and hang squat cleans. Valerie Gunning‘s handstand walk on the ramp looked effortless, helping the Sharks maintain their winning streak. The Men’s Triad followed a similar pattern, with Roderick Holloway’s impressive handstand walk highlighting another Sharks victory.

The evening concluded with the Sprint Relay, a race featuring eight diverse elements testing strength, gymnastics, and coordination. Kelsey Kiel started strong for the Sharks against Sydney Witter, setting up teammates for success through subsequent stations. Blake Kidder capped off the performance with heavy cleans at 315 pounds, adding “an extra rep for funsies” as the Sharks completed their sweep.

When the final horn sounded, the Southwest Florida Sharks had accomplished a remarkable feat, winning all ten races against the Atlanta Wild. While the Wild earned points by finishing several races within the time cap, they couldn’t overcome the Sharks’ superior execution and strategy. The final score of 100-63 reflected the Sharks’ dominance throughout the evening, establishing them as early contenders in the 2025 Grid League season.

The Wild are the official Atlanta team of the United Grid League.

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