OKCFD Lieutenant Takes Second Place Worldwide In Occupational Games

Firefighters have to be in good shape to battle fires, but Oklahoma City Fire Department Lieutenant Katie Sondag has taken fitness to a different level. 

“The fire department is a really physical job,” Sondag said. “A lot of the items we have on the rigs are really heavy.”

Sondag started with the Oklahoma City Fire Department about eight and a half years ago.

“Once I got into the fire department, I realized I needed a little more strength, and I got pushed in the direction of CrossFit,” Sondag said.

Sondag fell in love with CrossFit.

“On my days off, it’s probably two to two-and-a-half hours of training a day and then -- when we are at the station -- I get it in when I can,” Sondag said.

She does it all while taking care of her two-year-old son. 

“I just want to be a good example for him,” Sondag said. 

Lt. Sondag, at 5-foot-3, is not one to back down from a challenge. 

“People say I’m a little competitive,” Sondag said.

Her competitiveness would be the force behind her trying out for the Occupational Games.

“So you sign up under your occupation -- whether it be military, law enforcement, first responder, firefighter,” Sondag said. 

Over 80,000 people worldwide try out for the competition, but only the top 10 percent are selected to compete. 

“It’s a weekend-long, online event where they put you through five different workouts, and then you get ranked according to workout,” said Sondag. 

She took second place in the competition, finishing behind a firefighter in Las Vegas. 

“She beat me by two seconds on one workout,” Sondag said. “I beat her by two pounds on another workout, and she beat me by two seconds on the last workout, so she ended up taking the win.”

And her reaction to taking second in the world? 

“So, slight disappointment but also very excited,” Sondag said. “If you’re not first, you’re last.”

Now, Lt. Sondag makes no excuses for not winning. She did, however, admit to tweaking her back right as she started the competition.

She plans to compete and win next year’s competition.