Fenton, MI — December 14, 2025
Call of Duty and Counter-Strike are two popular video game franchises in the first-person shooter genre. They provide participants with an “eyes of a soldier” perspective in intense game-play situations, simulating what it is like on the battlefield. All from home and the safety of your couch.
But what if you want a bigger adrenaline thrill? You want to feel the weight of the weapon, run across the terrain, drop to your knees or belly, and fire off a shot.
You could join the Army, enlist in the police academy, or apply to the FBI. Whoa! Not that big of a commitment, and the thought of someone firing back is taking things a bit too far.
There has got to be an experience that provides a similar environment without the clear and present danger of death. There is! However, it is not for everyone. The scenario is called The Tactical Games.
What Are The Tactical Games All About
The Tactical Games website describes the sport as follows.
“The Tactical Games are where the thrill of competition meets the demand of tactical precision. From military personnel and law enforcement officers to competition shooters and civilians alike, Tactical Game events are the ultimate proving ground. Here, individuals from diverse backgrounds converge to compete against the world’s elite, pushing their limits and evaluating their gear under the intense pressure found only in our arenas. Join us to experience a competition that challenges every aspect of your tactical skills, endurance, and mental fortitude.”
“Each Tactical Games event consists of multiple stages that combine functional fitness movements with precision shooting challenges. Competitors move through courses that test strength, endurance, and marksmanship—carrying weighted gear, navigating obstacles, and engaging targets under time pressure. Every stage is designed to create intense competitive challenges where physical exhaustion meets the demand for accuracy.”
“Scoring is based on both time and accuracy, with penalties applied for missed shots or procedural errors. Competitors can choose from multiple divisions based on their experience level and equipment, ensuring fair competition whether you’re a seasoned tactical professional or a first-time participant. Events range from single-day regional qualifiers to multi-day national championships, all building toward crowning the most well-rounded tactical athlete.”
What if a friend came and asked you, “Are you up for this?” Jamie Lasco, owner of CrossFit Fenton, was approached by her fellow CrossFit athlete Jessie Curtis with that very question.
A New Competitive Journey
Both women are CrossFit athletes. Both have competed in the annual CrossFit Open competition. In 2024, Jamie was ranked 88th in the United States and 146th in the world among women 40-44. Both enjoy shooting and are proficient with rifles and pistols.
So, the answer to the question was: “That sounds like fun! What do we need to do to get started?” The duo entered a minor league event to see what the experience was like and came away with smiles and a desire to go further. They traveled to Texas to compete in their first Tactical Games event in May of this year. Competing as a team, Jamie said, “We kind of surprised ourselves that we were able to hang with some of the top athletes at the event.”
Alright, let’s try it again! The closest Tactical Games Regional competition was held in Ohio. This time, the two friends signed up individually to see where they ranked against their peers. Jessie finished 1st in her division, and Jamie took 2nd in her division. The other two women who stood on the podium with Jamie were seasoned Tactical Games participants very experienced in the sport.
Convinced they could do this and having already qualified based on their regional placements, Jamie and Jessie registered for the Tactical Games National Tournament. Scheduled at Reveille Peak Ranch in Burnet, TX, from November 14-16, 2025. The Nationals would be Jamie’s third Tactical Games event.
Tactical Training
Jamie admitted that in her first two Tactical Game competitions, she relied on her CrossFit training and conditioning to compensate for her limited experience in the tactical aspects of the event. It is one thing to go out to the range for a fun afternoon of shooting. It is quite another mindset to run with a full backpack through obstacles, drop down into a shooting position, calm your mind and body to breathe evenly, and fire shots at targets of varying distances with different shapes and sizes.
Some stages require participants to carry sandbags and weights while climbing over structures, fencing, and other barriers. CrossFit requires extreme physical fitness, but not in the same context as the physical challenges of tactical movement.
The Lasco Press has covered many events at CrossFit Fenton. One of the most enjoyable aspects of the local gym is the camaraderie among members and the mutual support they share, even during competition. Everyone supports individuals trying to improve their fitness.
Jamie emphasises that team spirit at her gym, and it is central to her coach’s approach to encouragement, regardless of an individual’s skill level. All participants are inspired to improve themselves, and every success is celebrated. She shared with us that as you progress through the various steps of national CrossFit competitions, joint support gives way to more intense rivalries.
Not so with The Tactical Games. Jamie credits her quick assimilation of the skills needed to be a top competitor to the willingness of everyone involved with the sport to share and help.
For six weeks before Nationals, Jamie doubled down on her daily training routine to incorporate additional skills and tactics to address her new challenges. There are 14 disciplines or stages across the National event weekend. She realized you could not out-fitness any stage. You needed to be prepared for all aspects of the tasks included.
For Jamie, the most significant adjustment might have been dealing with the elements. A gym workout happens in a controlled environment. The terrain, the weather, and the dirt add additional factors to the outdoor mix. A typical day consists of 12-14 hours on the various ranges.
The Results
Jessie Curtis is a detective with the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department, she placed third the women’s tactical division. Many competitors in The Tactical Games are from law enforcement or the military. How did Jamie Lasco, the CrossFit Gym owner and Tactical Games rookie, stack up against this experienced competition? Third place overall in Women’s 40-Plus class.
Well, it runs in the family. Husband, Matt Lasco, VP of Lasco Ford is an accomplished motocross rider who has competed in the Amateur Motocross National Championships at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch. Son, Maxx Speed Lasco is a State Motocross Champion in Michigan’s AMA District 14, a qualifier at Loretta’s, and a competitor in the BLU CRU Amateur World Championships at this year’s FIM Motocross of Nations.
For Jamie, The Tactical Games was a great experience. Complex and challenging, physically and mentally exhausting. But a great sense of satisfaction came from completing the stages, proving that “I could do this at this level.”
