All in the Family: How 6 Sets of Siblings Performed During the 2024 CrossFit Season
Families like the Andersens (Cody and Alex) and the Smiths (Ben, Alec, and Dane) have been competing since the early days of the CrossFit Games. Ben Smith, the eldest, even earned the title of Fittest on Earth in 2015.
- Sisters Allison and Brittany Weiss have both won different divisions. Allison paved the way in the teen division in 2015 and won the Girls 16-17 division in 2016. Brittany followed suit as a team athlete, winning the Affiliate Cup with CrossFit Invictus in 2023.
This tradition hasn’t died out in recent years — if anything, it’s only grown. Below, we’re highlighting six sets of siblings who have competed throughout the 2024 season. Though not all of them qualified for the Games this summer, each family has at least one member heading to the big stage in Forth Worth.
The Panchik Brothers
Scott Panchik left big shoes to fill for his younger brothers, twins Saxon and Spencer. He previously competed in 10 CrossFit Games, the most recent being in the 35-39 Age Group Division, which he won.
- This year, Scott has taken the entire season off from competition.
Spencer competed at the Games in 2023 and 2022 but could not qualify out of the 2024 North America West Semifinal.
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Saxon, however, took seventh place at the Syndicate Crown. After failing to qualify last year, he will be the only Panchik brother competing in Fort Worth at his sixth CrossFit Games.
The Wells Sisters
Like the Panchik brothers, Brooke and Sydney Wells swapped out qualifying spots from 2023 to 2024.
In 2023, Brooke barely missed out on qualifying for the Games from the North America East Semifinal.
- Sydney, however, finished in seventh and made her rookie debut at the 2023 CrossFit Games.
In 2024, Sydney was one of the numerous athletes who received penalties regarding her Quarterfinals workouts, knocking her out of Semifinals contention.
Brooke represented the family this season and, like Sydney last year, finished seventh at the Syndicate Crown in May.
The Martin Brothers
Bayley Martin, a 2023 CrossFit Games rookie, took second place at the Torian Pro in May for the second consecutive time, punching his second ticket to the CrossFit Games.
- In the three years that Bayley has competed at the Oceania Semifinal, he has done so alongside his brother, Riley.
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Known for his impressively heavy lifts, Riley wowed the crowd on Event 5 and took second place, but unfortunately failed to qualify. Riley has not yet made his way to the Games.
The Garard Brothers
Ricky Garard took first place at this year’s Torian Pro. He had an impressive off-season after a shoulder injury sidelined him last season, competing at the Rogue Invitational, the Dubai Fitness Championship, and TYR Wodapalooza.
- Older brother Benny, having competed at the CrossFit Games in 2015, returned to CrossFit competition this season both as an age group athlete and on a team at the Torian Pro.
Taking seventh at Torian with Tribe Northern Beaches CrossFit Black team wasn’t enough for a qualifying spot, but taking 38th in the 35-39 division qualified him to compete at the Masters CrossFit Games by Legends this fall.
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The Crouch Brothers
Six-time CrossFit Games competitor Jay Crouch took third place at the Torian Pro after a weekend-long leapfrog-style battle with Bayley Martin and Ricky Garard.
Jay has made four appearances at Torian, never finishing lower than third and winning in 2023 and 2022.
- Last year at the CrossFit Games, Crouch came in eighth place, his highest to date.
Jay competed alongside his brother, Toby, this year at the Oceania Semifinal. Unfortunately, Toby failed to qualify, finishing in 15th place.
The Đukić Brothers
Unlike other athletes on our list, both Luka and Lazar Đukić qualified for the 2024 CrossFit Games out of the European Semifinal by French Throwdown.
Lazar has won a Semifinal now three years running and has placed within the top ten at the Games the last three years, his only three years competing at that stage.
- Luka, who will make his second trip to the Games, has not qualified since 2021.
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When both brothers’ names were announced in Lyon, the crowd erupted in applause. The two embraced in tearful excitement, ready to throw down, side by side, this August.
More Stories From the Morning Chalk Up
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- UPDATE: 2024 CrossFit Games Prize Purse Details Revealed, No Increase From 2023 for Elites
Featured image: Dave Shenton