2025 Northern California Classic CrossFit Semifinal Recap

[MuscleMecca Crew]

The 2025 Northern California Classic marked the last in-person CrossFit Semifinal event of the season, hosted in Sacramento, California, from June 6–8. Featuring fierce competition across eight uniquely grueling events, the weekend spotlighted high-caliber athletes aiming for one of only two qualifying spots per division for the 2025 CrossFit Games.

Emerging as victors were William Leahy in the Men’s Division and Alex Gazan in the Women’s Division, both displaying a combination of raw power, precision, and relentless pacing. With only two Games slots available per gender, every rep and every second mattered.

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Men’s Division: Leahy Dominates, Fernandez Edges Out Tiebreaker​

Top 5 Men’s Final Standings​

Rank	Athlete	Points	Status
1	William Leahy	42.0	Qualified
2	Jorge Fernandez	62.5	Qualified
3	Nate Ackermann	62.5	– (lost tiebreak)
4	Spencer Panchik	71.5	–
5	Matt Brady	77.5	–

Leahy stood tall with an ironclad performance—never placing lower than 10th in any event, and securing two event wins. Fernandez and Ackermann ended with identical point totals, but Fernandez’s single event win secured him the final Games spot via tiebreaker, marking his first solo qualification after three team appearances.

Women’s Division: Gazan Continues Reign, Kanyo Holds Off Prevost​

Top 5 Women’s Final Standings​

Rank	Athlete	Points	Status
1	Alex Gazan	46.5	Qualified
2	Hattie Kanyo	64.5	Qualified
3	Carolyne Prevost	66.0	–
4	Kristin Holte	73.5	–
5	Oda Lundekvam	88.0	–

Gazan, now a four-time CrossFit Games competitor, was sharp and strategic—winning two events and staying within striking distance of the lead in nearly all others. Hattie Kanyo edged out Carolyne Prevost by just 1.5 points, securing her second consecutive trip to the Games.

Event-By-Event Breakdown​

Event 1: Ring Shuttle – Muscle Endurance Test​

A brutal EMOM format with ring muscle-ups and shuttle sprints tested coordination under fatigue.

• Men’s Winner: Spencer Panchik – 2:35
• Women’s Winner: Maddi Foutz – 4:24.84

Event 2: Heavy Isabel – Olympic Power​

30 snatches at competition weight separated lifters from technicians.

• Men’s Winner: Colten Mertens – 4:36
• Women’s Winner: Hattie Kanyo – 4:50

Event 3: Stow and Go – Truck Pull​

Harnessed for a 100-foot pull, brute strength and traction ruled.

• Top Men’s Time: Jorge Fernandez – 0:39.18
• Top Women’s Time: Alex Gazan – 0:47.82

Event 4: Pumphouse – Hybrid Engine​

Combining Erg work, wall balls, and gymnastics—a complete metabolic punisher.

• Men’s Winner: William Leahy – 11:53.14
• Women’s Winner: Andrea Solberg – 11:31.44

Event 5: Farmnastics – Grip & Balance​

Unorthodox skills meet functional load bearing: overhead squats, pirouettes, and farmer carries.

• Men’s Winner: William Leahy – 4:08.22
• Women’s Winner: Andrea Solberg – 3:37.98

Event 6: 2K Row​

Classic rowing test leading directly into…

• Fastest Row – Men: Ryan Drew – 6:22.20
• Fastest Row – Women: Karisa Stapp – 7:11.00

Event 7: Double Twos – Row + 2-Mile Run​

Endurance athletes rose in the combo test.

• Men’s Best Time: Jase Brooks – 18:45.3
• Women’s Best Time: Caitlin Bernardin – 19:58.7

Event 8: Hero Ball – Final Gauntlet​

Rope climbs, box jump overs, and squat cleans sent everyone home in pieces.

• Men’s Winner: Illia Moskalenko – 4:30.31
• Women’s Winner: Alex Gazan – 5:28.16

Road to the 2025 CrossFit Games​

With the Semifinals wrapped and just final confirmations pending, the 2025 CrossFit Games in Albany, NY (Aug 1–3) are nearly locked in. Gazan enters as a veteran threat, while Leahy and Kanyo will face the Games stage as relative newcomers with momentum on their side.

Expect fireworks. The competition is no longer just about strength—it’s a test of will, adaptability, and championship composure.