meet
the
team
JJ MOWREY GENERAL MANAGER
JJ grew up in Findlay, OH where he attended Van Buren High School, played soccer and ran track. His soccer team qualified for the district tournament three years in a row and began a five-year conference championship run. In track, JJ ran sprints and competed in the long jump, the triple jump, and the high jump. Today he still holds his high school’s triple jump record.
JJ next attended the University of Jamestown, where he played four years of soccer. A highlight moment was when he received “Player of the Week” after scoring 3 goals in just 3 minutes! JJ also played semi-pro soccer in the UPSL Soccer league. After graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration & Marketing, he worked for JB Hunt as the Manger of Logistics Planning.
He started CrossFit in 2020 after being invited by his close friend, Alex. He immediately enjoyed the challenges CrossFit presented as well as the camaraderie, competition and community that came with it. The following year, JJ became a CrossFit Coach.
As a new addition to the CP community, JJ was drawn to the dedication of our gym’s members to work hard and get better, noticing how every member had goals, both individually and as a group. JJ loves coaching members to help them achieve a goal they have for themselves.
Alex Majors Head Coach
Alex grew up in Austin, TX and then Findlay, OH. He attended Findlay High School where he was an All-Ohio soccer player, leading his team to an undefeated regular season his senior year. Alex also had the opportunity to travel to Europe three times to play with various soccer teams.
Alex played collegiate soccer all four years while at Ashland University. A highlight moment from his soccer career was when his team won the conference tournament his junior year and secured an NCAA tournament birth for the first time since the program’s reinstatement.
Upon earning his Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, Alex interned and worked briefly in the financial management industry where he realized he was better suited in a physically demanding and competitive environment. In 2020 he turned to CrossFit with the goal of continuing to compete athletically at a high level and, later that year, became a CrossFit coach.
Alex joined the CrossFit Polaris/IBEX coaching team in January of 2022. While at CP, he has worked with a variety of different athletes in a one-on-one setting, both online and in person. For the past two years, Alex had the opportunity to design programming for IBEX.
As an accomplished CrossFit athlete, Alex qualified for the 2023 North America East Semi Finals, where he was cheered on by a noisy band of blonde-wig-wearing supporters dubbed the “Majors Mafia.” He is honored to be able to serve a community that is so supportive and loyal regarding his dreams and goals. He is looking forward to helping our members take the next step in their fitness journey.
TROY KRESS, DPT
Coach and Owner, Prescribed Physical Therapy
Troy is a seasoned physical therapist with a strong background in athletics and a passion for fitness. A graduate of Rutherford B. Hayes in Delaware, OH, Troy was a four-year letter winner in football. He continued his athletic and academic path at Wittenberg University, where he played both football and rugby, and met his future wife, Leslie.
He earned his Doctorate of Physical Therapy at the University of St. Augustine in Florida, where he began his career in outpatient orthopedics. After three years in practice, he returned home to Ohio in 2013 and joined Orthopedic One, where he practiced for the past 11 years and as a Board Certified Orthopedic Specialist since 2016.
In 2019, Troy discovered CrossFit and was instantly captivated by the intensity and community. As a fitness-forward physical therapist, he integrates CrossFit principles into his patient care, particularly for those with an active lifestyle. His hands-on experience in CrossFit allows him to connect deeper with his patients and help them achieve their fitness goals.
Troy values the camaraderie and friendships he has built here and loves sweating through workouts in the group setting. If you don't see him riding his bike to class, you can find him spending time with his family or starting another DIY project at home.
Troy, Leslie, and their two children, Avery and Max, live in Westerville, OH.
JEFF MILLER Coach
Jeff was born and raised in Westerville, OH. He graduated from St. Francis Desales in 2010 where he played football and wrestled.
After High school, Jeff had the good fortune to be able to pursue his dream career in firefighting. Jeff joined Columbus fire department in 2013, where he has served faithfully throughout the streets of the hilltop since.
In 2011 Jeff attended his first CrossFit class, later joining CrossFit New Albany. When CrossFit Polaris launched in 2012, where he became one its first members. Starting CrossFit to maintain fitness for his job, Jeff fell in love with the community aspect of CrossFit. He began coaching in 2014 at CrossFit Worthington, later coaching at BackHome CrossFit, before returning home to CrossFit Polaris in 2016. His passion for coaching slightly edges out his passion for high skilled gymnastics movements.
katie minter Coach
Katie grew up near Dayton, Ohio and played competitive club soccer up until college where she transitioned to rugby at Wittenberg University. After college, she played club rugby in the UAE and started coaching a U18 girls rugby team.
Katie began CrossFit around 2016 after she retired from rugby. During that time, Katie and her husband, Michael, travelled as English teachers internationally and had the opportunity to be a part of a variety of CrossFit communities in Guatemala, South Korea and Portugal. After returning to Columbus, Katie started coaching at CrossFit Olentangy before becoming a member at CrossFit Polaris.
Katie absolutely loves the CP community and is excited to be part of the coaching team. You’ll most likely see her with an extra-large coffee in her hand at those early 5am classes.
Luke Montgomery, D.O. Coach
Luke is a central Ohio native, physician, and professor. He graduated from Worthington Christian High School in 2008, and played tennis while achieving his undergraduate degree in biology from Indiana Wesleyan University. While in college, Luke helped his team qualify for the NAIA National tournament three times in both singles and doubles.
Luke earned his D.O. degree from Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2016. After health issues caused him to take a pause in his medical education, he was invited to CrossFit Polaris by a friend. He initially declined because he heard horror stories in medical school about injuries and rhabdomyolysis. However, once he saw a fellow member do a bar-muscle for the very first time in the CrossFit Open, Luke was hooked.
He started coaching in 2018 under the guidance of CrossFit Games veteran, Kristi O’Connell. The diagnosis and treatment aspects of medicine translated well into identifying less than adequate movement patterns and prescribing the appropriate remedies.
Luke strongly believes that the quality and effort of the community have a direct impact on the health of the athlete, and values the close relationship he’s cultivated oat CrossFit Polaris. He has organized the CrossFit Open Friday Night Lights for several years and loves writing and participating in the competition class.
Outside of the gym, Luke teaches at both the undergrad and graduate levels, does volunteer gardening, and is involved in public health research.