Top 10 Rookie Performances at the CrossFit Games

Week 1 of the 2023 CrossFit Semifinals is just 10 days away. While most who will qualify this year will have previous experience at the Games, there will be a handful of rookies who break through for their first trip to Madison. 

Since we don’t know which rookies will be in Madison this year, I took a look at some of the best rookie performances in CrossFit Games history.

Many high-level athletes have articulated the value of CrossFit Games experience. From getting through the weekend physically, to responding to setbacks, and ultimately maximizing one’s potential, the list of advantages for veterans is substantial. These advantages make it all the more impressive when an athlete excels in their rookie year. Let’s take a look back at some of the top rookie performances at the CrossFit Games.

For this study, I looked at 4 components of each performance:

• Final Placing
• Average Event Finish
• Top 5 Finishes
• 1st Place Finishes

One more component I considered was their effect on that year’s Games. Some of these athletes’ stats weren’t as impressive in comparison but they were still in contention to win in their rookie year. I factored that into my ranking.

For the sake of comparison, I have removed the 2020 Games. I really want to look at the live experience with a full field, and phase 1 and phase 2 of the 2020 Games manifested in a much different format renders comparisons tricky. In addition, I’m only looking at the games from 2010 on. 2007 – 2009 didn’t contain the volume of events to make a meaningful comparison.

10. Justin Medeiros – 2020

That being said, I think it’s only fair to give a nod to Justin Medeiros who broke into the CrossFit Games in 2020. His career has been marked by the ability to stay consistent and maximize his potential in every workout. Had his first live experience been in Madison, I would wager his numbers would be comparable to the top performances in this list. I think it’s only fair we give him the 10th spot.

9. Patrick Vellner – 2016

After qualifying through a very stacked regional in his first year and doing it with a torn bicep, we knew to expect great things from Vellner at the Games in 2016. He didn’t disappoint. He secured the first of 4 podium finishers and established himself as a top CrossFit athlete. Even though his performance didn’t have the top finishes of rookie Brent Fikowski, his consistency gave him a better average finish and podium spot.

8. Mat Fraser – 2014

It was obvious from the start that it was not “if’” Mat Fraser would win the games, but when. He dominated his region that year in only his second year competing. He racked up 4 finishes inside of the top 5 and shared an event win with Froning on the 1RM overhead squat. Perhaps what is more impressive was still being in contention for the top of the podium going into the final event. He kept Froning close in spite of the champ’s patented Sunday push.

7. Tia-Clair Toomey – 2015

Toomey flew a bit under the radar in 2015. But if we had looked closely, we should have suspected that something special was happening. While there isn’t an iconic stand out performance, her best finishes include a 4th place in a swim event, a 4th and 3rd in a running/sprint event, 6th in a snatch ladder, and 6th in the gymnastic heavy Triangle Couplet. She was well rounded to say the least. She also pulled a veteran move by finishing Sunday with a 6th, 6th, and 4th. Toomey of course added another 2nd place finish and 6 straight championships in her career.

6. Sara Sigmundsdottir – 2015

Perhaps even more than Rich Froning Jr., Sara is the closest we have seen in the modern era to winning the games in her rookie debut. Without the 2 disastrous back to back events of the sprint course, she would have won the games easily. Even so, she went into the final event with a 17 point lead. Uncharacteristically, she struggled on the deficit HSPUs, and dropped down to 3rd place. Ironically, in 2017 she won the final event which was eerily similar to the event that held her back in 2015 with deficit HSPUs and kettlebell deadlifts.

5. Brent Fikowski – 2016

Fikowski’s multiple narrow misses at regionals, makes his debut at the games all the more epic. Of all the athletes in this list, Brent’s 2016 rookie performance has the highest number of top 5 finishes and the most event wins by any rookie with 4. His wins came on the brutal Ranch Mini Chipper, the Climbing Snail which introduced a new implement, the uber fast 100%, and the machine-heavy Rope Chipper. Fikowski has maintained a stellar pedigree of performance at the games with 2 podium finishes and 4 inside of the top 5.

4. Joshua Bridges – 2011

The “giant killer” burst onto the scene in 2011 and opened his CrossFit Games career with a win in event 1 “The Beach”. He would go on to win a total of 3 events at his debut games and have 6 event finishes inside of the top 5. His most iconic moment from these games (other than winning the opening event on the beach) would have to be winning the “Dog Sled.” Bridges finished his career with 3 top ten finishes at the games and many more iconic moments.

3. Roman Khrennikov – 2022

Technically Roman’s first games experience would be the first phase of the 2020 CrossFit Games, but his in-person rookie debut was nothing short of extraordinary. Many have said 2022 was the deepest Games field on the men’s side we have ever seen. This makes Roman’s average event finish of 6.6 even more astounding. He had two event wins to boot. With a year of games’ experience under his belt, his performance at the 2023 is highly anticipated.

2. Laura Horvath – 2018

This performance hasn’t received the notoriety it deserves. Laura’s numbers for the 2018 games are as high or higher than many games champions. Her average event finish of 6.4, 6 finishes inside the top 5, and three event wins are arguably the best rookie performance of all time. Her event wins came on Aeneas, Two-Stroke Pull, and the Battleground. Laura has since racked up two more podium finishes and is one of the favorites to win the 2023 CrossFit Games.

1. Richard Froning Jr. – 2010

It only seems right to place Froning at the top of the list. He comes in with the top average finish amongst this stellar class of rookies with 5.6. He racked up 2 event wins and 5 total events inside of the top 5. His performance was a glimpse into the future of what CrossFit athletes would be. He changed the way people trained for the games and set the tone for the next decade of CrossFit.