CrossFit community finds new way to honor slain trainer - 13abc.com Toledo (OH) News, Weather and Sports

CrossFit community finds new way to honor slain trainer

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The close-knit CrossFit Toledo gym is back up and running.  Founder Joe Lengel was shot and killed back in November while opening the gym for its first morning class.

"It's starting to have that home away from home feel that it had before the events that led to Joe's passing, so that's great," says Adam Motycka, a member of the Toledo gym.

Coca CrossFit members in North Ridgeville, OH have collected more than 200 shirts to make a giant quilt in Joe's honor.  Gyms from across the globe including Australia, Canada and New Zealand have sent in their gym's shirts to add to the quilt.  On February 23rd, they'll present it to the Toledo gym as a sign of love and support.

"It's awesome. People all over the world are sending stuff in," says the new CrossFit Toledo owner, Taylor Jesko.  "It shows CrossFit isn't just a community in a gym, it's literally worldwide."

"The fact that gyms all across the world <are helping>...I mean, that doesn't happen in a gym where you just go in and do your workout and leave," says Motycka.

CrossFit Toledo members say Joe would be proud of their progress, and humbled at the outreach of others.

A "Joe Lengel Memorial Fund" has been established to help promote CrossFit in the lives of needy kids.  Donations can be sent to P.O. Box 13364, Toledo, OH 43613.

To get more information on the 'Tribute Quilt', you can check out the group's Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/JoeLengelTributeQuilt .

The five suspects allegedly involved in this case: Jason Kuhns, Devonte Harris, Chad Brown, Matthew Managhan and Dettrik Boone, are all due in court for their trials in mid-March.  All but Boone are currently behind bars.

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