Panchik Twins Qualify as Noah Ohlsen Surges Late to Snag CrossFit Games Spot
Week 2 of Semifinals has come to a close as more athletes have punched their tickets to the 2022 NOBULL CrossFit Games. Saxon Panchik conquered the Mid-Atlantic CrossFit Challenge after turning in a career-best performance in Knoxville, TN.
The details: Panchik was a force throughout the weekend as he only finished outside of the top five in one event. He turned in an 11th-place finish in Hardcore Parkour. The rest of the weekend featured him putting distance between himself and every other competitor.
- Panchik won three events during the three-day event. He held off Dallin Pepper in Midline Sadness to close out the opening day before winning the MACC Mile to finish out the second day.
- While Panchik’s final day of competition started with the stumble in Hardcore Parkour, he rebounded and put an exclamation point on his weekend. He beat Noah Ohlsen by nearly 13 seconds in Turbo Tunnel.
A family affair: The standout performance for Panchik ensured that he would return to the CrossFit Games, but it was not the only reason why the weekend was special for the family. His twin brother, Spencer Panchik, also took the final spot above the cutline with a third-place finish in Turbo Tunnel and secured his first CrossFit Games berth. Now he will compete against one of his brothers on the biggest stage.
- “This was a dream we set out to accomplish over 10 years ago,” said older brother Scott Panchik, a perennial CrossFit Games competitor. “It’s a special day to see both Saxon and Spencer representing our family at the Crossfit Games. … So proud!”
A final comeback: One of the biggest points of conversation after the first two days of the MACC was Noah Ohlsen. He entered the weekend as one of two athletes – alongside Cole Sager – to compete at every CrossFit Games since the 2014 season, but he was below the cutline after two days of competition.
- Ohlsen didn’t look like himself during the first two days of competition, but he did everything he needed to secure his ninth consecutive trip to the CrossFit Games.
- The 31-year-old started the final day of competition by taking second overall in Hardcore Parkour. He then capped off the weekend with a second-place finish in Turbo Tunnel.
Ohlsen showcased his skills and experience during the final day. Now he will pursue a return to the CrossFit Games podium and potentially fight for the first championship of his career.
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