We have just over a week until the 2016 Kill Cliff Granite Games kick off, and the next generation of superstars are ready to make a name for themselves at one of the biggest offseason events in the fitness world.

What does it mean to win the Granite Games? Winners of past Elite and Pro Granite Games divisions have gone on to become CrossFit Games champions, and the winners of the RX divisions have become some of the stars of tomorrow's fitness world.

2014 Granite Games Champions

Men's Elite Champion, Mat Fraser

Fraser took second at the 2014 CrossFit Games, then went on to win the 2014 Granite Games. After taking second at the Games again in 2015, Fraser won the 2016 CrossFit Games.

Women's Elite Champion, Sam Briggs

Briggs was already a CrossFit Games champion when she won the 2014 Granite Games. But she had a rough 2014 Games season, and barely missed qualifying for the 2014 CrossFit Games. Since then, she's had great success with back-to-back fourth-place finishes.

Men's RX Champion, Jack Long

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Long's trajectory since winning the men's RX division in 2014 has been nothing short of inspiring. Since then, he went on to compete in the men's Pro division in the 2015 Granite Games, but was just shy of securing a spot at the 2016 CrossFit Games in the Central Region.

Women's RX Champion, Carolyne Prevost

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Carolyne Prevost's win in the women's RX division preceded two successful years at Regionals. The 11-time national champion (in four different sports!) has only gotten better as the competition has increased--each year, she places higher and higher at Regionals.

2015 Granite Games Champions

Men's Pro Champion, Albert-Dominic Larouche

Larouche, also known as ADL, had a fantastic offseason in 2015. After taking the 2015 CrossFit Games season off, the French Canadian signaled his return to form with a resounding win against an incredibly deep men's Pro field.

Women's Pro Champion, Sara Sigmundsdottir

You should know a thing or two about Sara Sigmundsdottir by now: She loves food, works out like a maniac, and has finished on the podium at the CrossFit Games two years in a row. With a masterful performance at the 2015 Granite Games, Sara cemented herself as a perennial talent in the functional fitness world.

Men's RX Champion, Nate Dunfee

In 2015, Dunfee placed 59th in a failed bid to qualify for Regionals. But after winning the 2015 Granite Games, Dunfee went on to qualify for his first Regionals by taking 31st in the Central Regional.

Women's RX Champion, Jessica Griffith

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In 2015, Griffith didn't qualify for Regionals, but went on to claim the 2015 women's RX title. The next year, she posted huge gains--Griffith not only qualified for Regionals as an individual in 2016, but also competed at the CrossFit Games with her team, CrossFit 417.


The Granite Games isn't just any local competition. It's a look at the future stars of the competitive exercise world, and you don't want to be the one who misses out on spotting the next badass athlete to show up to the Games as a dark horse.