In the three-year history of the National Pro Grid League, the DC Brawlers have absolutely dominated their competition, going undefeated through two seasons (and two championships) and winning their first 2016 matches in convincing fashion. Since the first official NPGL matches in August 2014, the Brawlers — led by coach Justin Cotler — had gone undefeated through 14 contests.
That all changed Friday night with a dramatic upset, delivered by the Boston Iron. The Brawlers had previously beat the Iron in the 2016 regular season, 20-13. But last night, coach Josh Plosker’s Boston team handed DC a 19-16 loss.
The match came down to the final Race (Race 11), a multi-element event where Boston’s Kris Kling overtook DC’s Tim Paulson on a set of kettlebell overhead walking lunges — a lead the Iron would keep for the rest of the Race, sealing their victory.
DC won the inaugural 2014 championship against a strong San Francisco Fire squad and edged out the Phoenix Rise to win it all in 2015. Now, Boston is headed to the 2016 Finals, while DC ends their season early for the first time in the League’s history. Boston will play the winner of tonight’s match between the San Francisco Fire and Phoenix Rise.
Featured image: @DCBrawlers on Instagram