Who Is the Next Rookie to Surprise At the CrossFit Games?

July 8th, 2025

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Good morning and welcome to the Morning Chalk Up.

In today’s edition:

  • Seventeen rookies. History says at least one cracks the top 10.

  • Why consistency isn't just king — it's everything.

  • A closer look at PRVN’s HYROX game plan.

QUOTE OF THE DAY
❝

In the gym, I’m able to watch him train and learn things…watching someone as good as he is move – you learn a lot.”

Individual Games rookie Ty Jenkins on training with Dallin Pepper.
CROSSFIT GAMES

Rookies to Watch – Which First-Timer Could Crack the Top 10 in Albany?

Credit: Marc Costa

Every year at the CrossFit Games, at least one rookie shows up and outperforms everyone's expectations.

In 2015, that rookie was Tia-Clair Toomey-Orr. She finished second on the podium.

  • Toomey-Orr hasn’t been the only rookie to reach the podium in her first Games: Rich Froning finished second in his rookie season in 2010, Pat Vellner placed third as a rookie in 2016, and Laura Horvath was second at her first Games in 2018. More recently – and the last rookie to make the podium – was Justin Medeiros in 2020. He finished third. 

While reaching the podium as a rookie is an achievement only a few athletes can claim, having a rookie in the top 10 at each CrossFit Games has become almost expected. 

  • In fact, since 2013 — a dozen years — there has been at least one rookie in the top 10 every year, except in 2017.

Continue reading to see our picks!

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SPEED READS

🤯 📚 The “Sugar Diet”?!?: Relax, no one here is advocating the new “sugar diet” protocol; instead, CrossFit’s senior content writer, Stephane Rochet, unpacks the online chatter and explains why open-mindedness and nuance matter.

🍟🌯 Games Athletes’ Fav Fast Food: Bayley Martin asked fellow Australian Games athletes Jay Crouch, Ricky Garard, and more about their favorite fast food meals, then ranked them. Check out the taste test here.

👟🤝 Velites x CrossFit Hybrid 1.0 Trainer: Check out the new limited edition training shoe from the “Official Apparel and Footwear Partner” of the CrossFit Games, Velites. And sign up for their mailing list to access the presale with a unique discount.

🌎🥇 WFP Challenger Online Qualifier II Scores Due: The second Challenger Qualifier for the World Fitness Project Tour ends today. Remember to submit your results by 8 p.m. CDT (UTC-5).

ICYMI: A fractured fibula will keep Alex Gazan out of the 2025 Games.

MEMBER EXCLUSIVE

Why 50 Workouts in 90 Days Changes Everything

Credit: @besthouroftheirday / Instagram

Every affiliate owner knows this feeling: A new member eagerly signs up and pays for their first month, then... You cross your fingers and hope they stay. 

  • You're flying blind, hoping and praying they'll become a long-term member without a clear way to predict or influence that.

But what if there were a simple leading indicator you could track? A straightforward system that shows whether someone is on track to become a lifelong member – and provides the tools to step in when they're not.

Continue reading to learn about the “50/90 Club” and how to incorporate it into your affiliate.

TRIVIA

How many athletes from the WFP Tour Stop I Challenger Division qualified for the 2025 Crossfit Games?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

Last week, we asked: “Who is the only athlete to earn a CrossFit Games ticket from the Last Chance Qualifier twice?”

  • Arielle Loewen

  • Tim Paulson

  • Kristi Eramo-O'Connell

  • Jonne Koski ✅

  • Emma Tall

The correct answer was Finnish legend, Jonne Koski, which 47.06% of you chose.

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HYROX

PRVN Goes All-In on HYROX — And It’s Working

Credit: Scott Freymond

Tia-Clair Toomey-Orr and Shane Orr’s PRVN training camp continues to invest in the sport of HYROX, making significant efforts to promote the sport, develop athletes, and bridge the gap between competitive fitness and fitness racing. 

Earlier this spring, we wrote about PRVN’s plans to “take over HYROX,” which included bringing on coach and elite athlete James Kelly. 

  • Kelly is currently one of the most prominent athletes in the fitness racing community, balancing his time between coaching, training, and competing. Along with the Orrs and the PRVN team, they have built an impressive roster of competitors.

So, how is PRVN doing now, only two months later?

HIGHLIGHTS

Celebrating a PR, hosting a fundraiser, this, that, or otherwise? Send us a tip.

  • 👟Congratulations to Matthew Bickel, who just completed the Leadville Marathon.

  • Check out Alec Smith on these ring hang to handstands. So impressive!

  • ICYMI, congratulations to James Sprague on completing the Coeur d’Alene Ironman 70.3 in 5:22.

  • Well done to 70-year-old Llew of CrossFit Torian on this ring muscle-up.

  • 🇺🇸Check out how the Mayhem athletes celebrated the 4th of July.