Clean and jerk. Snatch. Double under. These aren’t just cryptic new slang phrases—they’re CrossFit moves that require strength, speed and determination. Reese Littlewood, a first-year student at the University of South Carolina, has mastered them all. 

In fact, a few weeks after starting college at USC, she went toe-to-toe with teens from around the globe at the CrossFit Games, where she earned the ultimate title: Fittest Teen on Earth.  

Originally from Pottstown, Pennsylvania, Littlewood came to USC looking for warmer weather and a new challenge. She found both and is building up knowledge for her future science career while setting down roots in clubs like “Carolina Girls Who Walk.” 

Whether she’s strengthening her mind in biology class, or flexing her physical strength at CrossFit, Littlewood knows the importance of taking small steps towards a larger goal. 

"Sometimes the small stuff is the most helpful in accomplishing the big things. Just as with training—it’s important to train the smaller muscles so the big muscles will work right—I can’t do well on the tests or get good final grades for the semester if I don’t study or do the readings and homework.” 

She recently shared with us more about how CrossFit has taught her to push the boundaries of what she thought possible, in the classroom and beyond. 

Q: When did you begin training CrossFit? Why did you pick it up? 

I was previously a gymnast, but when the pandemic hit and everything was canceled, I needed something to do to stay in shape. Over the lockdown, my mom and I watched the CrossFit Games documentaries and started doing workouts in our garage. I tried one class and fell in love with the sport instantly! We started going to the gym together in January 2021, I quit gymnastics a few months later to pursue competitive CrossFit and haven’t stopped since! 

Q: You’ve competed at several CrossFit Games and even won the 2024 Teen games. How did that feel?  

A: It feels amazing to have gone to the Games, and even more amazing to have won! I firmly believe that my work pays off no matter what happens at competitions or over the span of my athletic career simply because it is work that I enjoy doing, but winning really gave a me a sense of satisfaction that what I do in and out of the gym day in and day out is contributing to something bigger/can take me further than I’d even hoped. 

Q: Do you plan to continue in CrossFit? Where do you think it will take you in the future? 

A: I definitely plan to continue in CrossFit. I don’t know where it will take me in the future, but I hope to continue competing at a high level and make it back to the CrossFit Games as an elite individual. 

Q: What brought you to the University of South Carolina? 

A: USC came very highly recommended to me. I wanted to come south because I like the warm weather. I knew moving here would force me to branch out and would push me outside of my comfort zone, which is scary, but I think it is very important. And the palmetto trees all around campus helped to seal the deal. 

Q: How did you decide to major in biology? What do you like about it? 

A: I was certain my future career would be somehow related to science and knew biology would give me a good foundation for most science-based fields. I have always liked biology because it explains a lot about life.  

Q: How does your major play into your future career? 

A: I’m still not sure what exactly I want my career to be, but I definitely do not want a desk job. I could see myself as a doctor or a physician’s assistant, in which case biology would be very important, and being a doctor or a PA is all about helping others to better their lives!