Dynamic Duo - The Copelands

Luke Espe • July 20, 2021
A man and a woman are running down a street.

Erika and Robbie are no strangers to trusting the process and learning to improve year after year. They were both collegiate soccer players and have just loved aspects of training and methodology of CrossFit. It doesn’t hurt that they can share these experiences with one another in competitive CrossFit! The highs and lows of training have kept them grounded through it all and allowed them to become great training partners for the 12 Labours Lions.

Take a moment to see a snapshot of their journey from 2013 to 2021! Looking forwarding to your success at the NOBULL CrossFit Games.

April 2013

Robbie and Erika’s 4th month into CrossFit and first ever competition at the Mid-Atlantic Affiliate Challenge (MAAC). Robbie’s face says it all, “what did we sign ourselves up for?”

A man wearing a black shirt that says cerv on it

April 2014

Robbie and Erika recording their open workouts in hopes to make a Regionals team. They were quite humbled that year. We still have a lot of work to do!

A group of people are standing in a dark room talking to each other.

May 2016

Took a couple more years, but Team KTB made their Mid-Atlantic Regionals debut in Atlanta, GA finishing in 10th place overall.

A man and a woman are posing for a picture while wearing ktb tank tops

July 2016

A couple months later Robbie beat Erika in a burpee workout and they knew something was wrong. Turns out Erika had a bilateral pulmonary embolism, which was quite the scare.

A man wearing a crossfit shirt is laying next to a woman in a hospital bed

June 2018

Made it back to Regionals with Team Iron Force! This time it was the Atlantic Regionals in West Palm Beach, FL. Unfortunately, Erika injured a muscle in her rotator cuff warming up for the second event. The team met minimum work requirements for the remaining workouts to avoid dropping out of competition. 

A woman is laying on the floor while a man sits in the background

April 2019

The year of Sanctionals for the 12 Labour Lions! Our best place finish was 3rd at the Mid-Atlantic CrossFit Challenge (MACC) in Washington, DC. During the Sancitonal season, the Lions traveled to Iceland and Minnesota to wrap up their season.

A group of people standing next to each other holding a large object.

February 2020

Squeezed in competing at the Wodapoolooza in Miami, FL as an Elite Team, just before the pandemic cancelled events for the remainder of the year. 

A group of people are running on a track in front of a crowd.

October 2020

Fun fact, Robbie and Erika went to high school together but were reunited when they both showed up at CrossFit ReVamped on a living social deal. 8 years later and they finally got married! 

A group of people are posing for a picture at a wedding reception.

June 2021

The 12 Labours Lions qualified for Semi-Finals at the Granite Games placing 6th overall, until two teams ranked above them were disqualified. The 12 Labours Lions team was notified that they punched their ticket to the 2021 NOBULL CrossFit Games!!! 

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The CrossFit Open season is right around the corner. Whether it is your first CrossFit Open, or you've been in the game for awhile, we highly encourage you to participate. The CrossFit Open gives athletes of all ages, body types, and ability levels a chance to challenge themselves over a three-week period. Last year, there were over 120 members that took part in the Open and we're excited to get after it again with the 12L community. For this year, we will be performing the CrossFit Open workout every Saturday morning at each home district. Our coaching staff will kickoff the Opening Ceremony at 8:00AM to run you through a warm up, help you understand the logistics of the workout, discuss strategies, and provide judges. Heats will start promptly afterwards. Don’t forget to reserve your spot on Wodify to accommodate space and equipment needed for each member. Register via CrossFit Games Link: Click Here Annapolis District Affiliate: 12 Labours CrossFit Annapolis Columbia District Affiliate: 12 Labours CrossFit Schedule Week 1 I Workout 25.1 When: Saturday, 3/1 at 8:00AM Where: Home District Week 2 I Workout 25.2 When: Saturday, 3/8 at 8:00AM Where: Home District Week 3 I Workout 25.3 When: Saturday, 3/15 at 8:00AM Where: Home District

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February 4, 2025
Certifications: CrossFit Level 1 Trainer, Dynamic Stretch Specialist, NCSF-CPT (in progress) Member Since: December/2024 Coaching Since: April/2023 Favorite Movement: Strict handstand pushups Favorite WOD: Annie, fast and fun! (when doubles are doubling) Favorite Workout Gear (i.e tape, belt, grips, wrist wraps, etc). Knee sleeves! Game-changer for squatting, walking lunges suck less, and good protection for rope climbs. Born and Raised: Born - Holland, the Netherlands. Raised - Columbia, Maryland Favorite Food: Japanese hibachi or sushi Favorite TV Show/Movie: The Vampire Diaries or Schitts Creek/The Hunger Games series Hobbies: reading/journaling, exploring new coffee shops, brunch and brewery outings on a nice day out Hidden Talent: I have been told that I am really good at writing/expressing thoughts with words. Athletic Background: I tried almost every sport in high school. Field hockey was the only one that clicked, but I didn’t pursue it post high school. I participated in pick-up sports here and there, but nothing consistent before CrossFit. Long Answer (2-3 sentences) Favorite 12 Labours Memory: This past Resolution Games, Elena and I were dancing around 4th place leading up to the final event: Tortoise vs. Hair. (let’s just say I am a Tortoise) The pressure to “send it” for the podium spot had me shaking in my boots, but we had ironically landed 3rd in that event and 3rd overall. When the results came in, I screamed, jumped for joy, and immediately located Elena to share the great news with an extra-enthusiastic jumping hug. Occupation: Marketing Specialist. I worked for a digital marketing agency for almost three years and have been freelancing and contracting since. Interesting Fact: I told myself I would never move back to Maryland when I left the state to attend Virginia Tech for college. Returning home was the best decision I have ever made and greatest joyful surprise, in-part largely for the ever-evolving close relationships that I keep developing here. Why do I coach? I coach CrossFit for greater access to the members and an ability to build close connections with athletes. There is nothing more satisfying than seeing a movement “click” for someone. Supporting their growth with front row seats to all the action is a big privilege for me. Miscellaneous - Add a custom question “What is one language you would choose to have automatically downloaded into your brain” I am half-Turkish, and would love the opportunity to communicate with some family who live there. However, I have always dreamed of spending a few months in the Netherlands, where I was born. I would have to pick Dutch.
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