Athlete of the Month : September 2025
Ladies & Gentlemen, your September Athlete of the Month could very well be Athlete of the Decade. Keri Wisey has been a member of this gym community for well over a decade. As you read through her Q&A, you will learn how much life has changed through growing up in a very active family to competing at a high level athletically to staying fit for her kids. Keri is one of the first handful of people I met when I began working here in 2016. We were both competitive, so we worked out around the same times. We can relate on that fact that we come from very athletic homes where parents were supportive in all activities we chose. Many of you probably didn’t realize now that Keri was a Division 1 soccer player and competed at the CF Games in it’s peak as part of the team from Island Park. That happen before I even met her. Despite being one of the biggest trash talkers, Keri gives respect and credit where it’s deserved. As many of us evolve from young adults to young parents and grow, we try to instill the important qualities and values we were raised on. Keri has very active kids. In fact, she works hard so that it will be years before one of them bests her in the gym. From planned training to trying to get workouts in before work and family, discipline and dedication has been present. I got more than a few comments about “it’s about time Keri got Athlete of the Month.” I’ve said this before and I’ll repeat it; there are plenty of people who have never gotten the monthly honor yet and may be great nominees. They will at some point. Keri has never needed this. She will always work hard. She will always show up (some days earlier than me.) She will always stay fit. It’s in her blood. She’s always fun to be around outside the gym too.
And maybe this Q&A will get her bestie back in the gym for a workout soon.
Written by: Coach Rob Moloney
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Q&A
Why did you start functional fitness cross-training?
I grew up with the best parents, dad was always naturally a great athlete, ran track in college then was FDNY for over 20 years retiring in 2002. Mom prioritized her morning runs and loved going to her gym classes (spin, sculpt, lifting). So it was instilled in my older brother, younger sister and I that being active is an important part of life. Mom was the loudest cheerleader on every field we were on. After college I still played soccer in women's leagues, even still do to this day but a sport like crossfit was a great fit for me and I loved the competitive aspect of scores on the board each day and trash talking my friends in the gym. Way more fun than going to a gym by myself.
What’s your background? (Athletic)
Played Division 1 soccer at Marist College and competed in 2013 and 2014 Crossfit Games with King of Island Park. Did everything as a kid soccer, long distance track, cross country, gymnastics and everything in between.
How long have you been a member and how long have you been doing functional fitness?
I think I became a member around December of 2012 when they opened the doors here in Island Park after Sandy shut down the west end location “King of The Beach.” I had a few friends from growing up that encouraged me and knew the gym needed a 3rd girl behind OG crossfitters Kaitlyn Fitzgerald and Molly to compete at Crossfit regionals.
What is your favorite thing about the gym?
The friends I have made over the years is probably what everyone says but its true. Most people I am close with here down in Long Beach come from a gym connection. My husband was a member back in the day. To shout out a few more of these many friends: Anita has made me the cool mom at East school just by knowing her. All Grace’s friends moms want to be Anita (fashionable, aura). Michelle Jantzen who knows everyone has been there for me in more ways than I could ever list off here. Rob always looking out for me, and being my 5am workout buddy most days getting his “nothing fancy” 100 push ups nearby while I suffer slowly through the days workouts. Marco, Eidens, Carolyn, both Audiffreds always my go to partners for Saturday workouts. Kait has RBF so I didn’t think she liked me much to start but turns out we became besties after I dragged her through a 2 mile run tied together by a rope in the 2014 crossfit games.
What is the biggest change you have made over the years working out here?
In terms of what has changed most over the year is simply the time of day I show up. With kids it is now easiest to be there at 5am. I forever loved my afternoon workouts during open gym hours and after school winding down. Lucky for me there is a solid crew of oldens like Baxt, Canepa, Kullak who have been at the gym forever too. Some newer friendly faces like Annie Littlefield (always strolling in at 5:32am) and Michelle R. who is always making sure I push a little extra on the heavy squat days, so she can find 1 lb plates after I leave and outdo me(rude). All the others at 5:30 am people I appreciate your determination and ability to show up at that hour!
What is one or two favorite moments at the gym?
Kait hitting the high box jump and landing like a turtle. That has brought me, as well as all my Instagram followers, so much joy for many years.
Loved when Casey Skudin would call out everyone for no reps back in the day and when he got so mad during an open workout he swung the rings and smashed a light on the ceiling.
What's your favorite "cheat" food?
A Jimmy Hayes dinner with Bacon & Gorgonzola Bread appetizer. I have to win that raffle tonight at Barbells for Boobs.
What do you say to someone who is thinking about starting?
“I bet I could beat you in this workout.” That’s probably how I got my sister Reenie to start crossfit about 9 years ago. She ended up on a team at the 2017 crossfit games and now kills me in all workouts, woops.
What drives you? What is your biggest fitness goal right now?
It’s changed over the years, but at the moment its all about keeping up with Peter and Grace. I can’t let me 5 year old do more strict pull ups than me and I can still take Grace on the soccer field for now.
Compete days at the gym always drive me as well. They will forever be a fave of mine.
If you could call anyone 3 people out to do a workout with you, who would it be and what workout?
Kait Ilch (aka kait fitz crossfit), Marco and Brian Eidens. Got to be Fran. Kait and I would dominate the boys and its always entertaining to watch Eidens try and crank out loads of pull-ups.
What’s your go to meal to cook?
I don’t enjoy cooking, Joey’s the chef in our house.