CrossFit Athletes to Watch at The 2025 Rogue Invitational

The 2025 Rogue Invitational is set to bring together the most elite CrossFit athletes on the planet for one of the sport’s most anticipated showdowns of the year. Taking place in Aberdeen, Scotland, the competition serves as both a celebration of fitness excellence and a proving ground for champions, veterans, and rising stars alike.

With the World Fitness Project season adding even more depth and drama to this year’s storylines, fans can expect an electrifying mix of seasoned legends, comeback contenders, and breakthrough talents ready to make their mark on the Rogue stage.

The Women

Laura Horvath

Returning as one of the most accomplished athletes in the field, Laura Horvath enters the 2025 Rogue Invitational with an impressive resume that includes a CrossFit Games title and two Rogue Invitational victories. After taking time off from the 2025 CrossFit Games season, Horvath looks fresh and focused.

Her dominant win at the World Fitness Project (WFP) Tour Stop II in August reaffirmed her elite form. With her decision to rest and recover earlier this year, she could be set to deliver another standout performance in Aberdeen.

Lucy Campbell

Lucy Campbell has had a breakout season and arrives at Rogue riding a wave of consistency. Starting the year with a surprise win at TYR Wodapalooza, she has remained a top competitor throughout the World Fitness Project circuit—finishing fourth and fifth at Tour Stops I and II, respectively.

Campbell also claimed second at the 2025 CrossFit Games, finishing just behind Tia-Clair Toomey-Orr. Her balance of endurance, strength, and composure has made her one of the most exciting athletes to follow this season.

Danielle Brandon

Few athletes bring as much energy and flair to the competition floor as Danielle Brandon. The seven-time Games veteran has shown incredible consistency this season, finishing fourth at the CrossFit Games and holding fifth overall in the WFP standings. Her performances have reflected both maturity and firepower, and she enters Rogue looking sharper and fitter than ever.

Alex Gazan

Alex Gazan’s season has been defined by both triumph and resilience. After winning the WFP Tour Stop I and the NorCal Classic Qualifier, she suffered a fractured foot in a car accident that sidelined her from key events, including the CrossFit Games. Now back in action, Gazan’s participation in Aberdeen marks a significant comeback. Though her readiness remains uncertain, her drive and potential are undeniable.

Olivia Kerstetter

At just 19 years old, Olivia Kerstetter continues to prove she belongs among the sport’s elite. Her third-place finish at this summer’s CrossFit Games, where she edged out veteran Danielle Brandon for a podium spot, showcased her immense potential. Kerstetter’s mix of strength and composure under pressure makes her one of the most promising young talents to watch at the Rogue Invitational.

Emma Lawson

Emma Lawson made the strategic choice to skip the CrossFit Games this year to recover from injury and focus entirely on the WFP season. Currently ranked sixth overall in the WFP standings, Lawson’s patience and focus could pay off in Aberdeen.

Known for her steady performances and mental toughness, she’s shown before—most notably with her second-place finish at the 2023 CrossFit Games—that she has what it takes to compete among the best.

Other Notable Athletes

Rounding out the women’s field are several familiar names with the potential to make an impact: Emma Tall, Grace Walton, Arielle Loewen, and Emily Rolfe. Loewen has remained one of the sport’s most consistent performers, while Rolfe, recovering from injury, brings a wealth of experience to the competition floor. Each of these athletes has shown flashes of brilliance this season and could play a major role in shaping the outcome of the weekend.

With a roster stacked with proven champions, rising stars, and comeback stories, the 2025 Rogue Invitational promises an exceptional showcase of talent and tenacity. Whether it’s Horvath’s return, Campbell’s momentum, or Kerstetter’s youthful surge, every athlete brings something unique to the stage in Aberdeen

The Men

James Sprague

Few athletes have been as consistently impressive this season as James Sprague. The 2024 CrossFit Games champion has proven time and again that he thrives under pressure, no matter the stage. His season began with a win at TYR Wodapalooza in January, followed by podium finishes at both the CrossFit Games and multiple World Fitness Project (WFP) events.

Sprague placed second at both WFP Tour Stops I and II, securing the top overall spot heading into the WFP Finals. With such steady performances, the 22-year-old continues to show that he’s among the fittest and most reliable competitors in the field.

Jayson Hopper

Jayson Hopper’s 2025 season has been one of both volume and excellence. The reigning CrossFit Games champion has competed eight times this year—more than nearly anyone else on the circuit.

His relentless schedule shows both his competitive drive and durability. After a dominant Games victory, Hopper placed eighth at WFP Tour Stop II, just weeks later, a result that might say more about fatigue than fitness. With a record prize purse and a big stage in Scotland, expect Hopper to bring his signature power and intensity to the Rogue floor.

Jeff Adler

Defending Rogue Invitational champion Jeff Adler returns looking to reestablish dominance after a challenging year. The 2023 CrossFit Games winner began this season with a fourth-place finish at WFP Tour Stop I but struggled at the Games, finishing eighth before withdrawing from Tour Stop II due to injury. Adler’s resilience and experience, however, make him a perennial threat. If he’s back to full strength, fans can expect a fiery and focused performance from the Canadian as he aims to defend his Rogue crown.

Ricky Garard

Australia’s Ricky Garard continues to build his reputation as one of the sport’s most consistent competitors. Coming off his second-ever CrossFit Games podium finish—second behind Hopper—Garard has remained in strong form, landing fourth at TYR Wodapalooza and seventh in the overall WFP standings. Yet, Rogue remains the one major competition where he’s yet to break through. His past finishes (fourth in 2024, fifth in 2023, and tenth in 2022) show steady improvement, and this year might finally be the one where he closes that gap.

Pat Vellner

Veteran Pat Vellner is still proving that age is just a number. Now 35, the five-time CrossFit Games podium finisher continues to perform at an elite level. After skipping the CrossFit Games season, Vellner started slowly at WFP Tour Stop I (23rd) but rebounded with a third-place finish at Tour Stop II in August. His combination of experience, efficiency, and tactical intelligence ensures he remains one of the most dangerous competitors in any field. As always, Vellner’s consistency makes him one to watch closely in Aberdeen.

Dallin Pepper

Dallin Pepper continues to cement himself among the sport’s top-tier men. A two-time CrossFit Games podium finisher—second in 2024 and fourth in 2025—Pepper enters Rogue sitting fourth overall on the WFP leaderboard. Known for his explosive strength and relentless work ethic, Pepper’s steady improvement over the past two seasons suggests that he’s poised for another strong showing. He finished fifth at last year’s Rogue Invitational and remains one of the most balanced athletes in the lineup.

Beyond the headliners, several other names stand out in this year’s stacked men’s field. Roman Khrennikov, Justin Medeiros, Jay Crouch, and Austin Hatfield all bring a mix of experience, power, and momentum into Aberdeen. Each has the potential to shake up the leaderboard, and given the unpredictable nature of Rogue’s programming, surprises are always on the table.